Something different. Meet my new baby Skunk
Discussion
We finished the pen build tonight after cutting out part of the hedge. Unfortunately too dark to take photos. Need to get electrics wired in and some roofing on but it’s up and we are very happy with it.
dudleybloke said:
How long till their eyes open?
Should be any day now. Will update with pics. They’re growing fast and fluffing up nicely. Wiccan of Darkness said:
Bloody hell, only just discovered this thread, Gretchen you're a legend!!!
Firstly, welcome to the weird animal owners club. Luckily, you don't need a DWA licence for skunks.
Skunk smell is from a type of chemical known as a mercaptan (biological) or a thiol (chemistry) which is the same as an alcohol group -OH but the oxygen is replaced with a sulphur, so it's R-SH (organic group, sulphur and hydrogen)
They are easily oxidised, so any oxidising agent will get rid of the smell. That's bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or potassium permanganate, the peroxide and permanganate you can buy from a chemists.
You mentioned the skunk spray and migraines, have you had the same effect with other thiol compounds? These include (but not limited to) natural gas (methanethiol (previously called methyl mercaptan) is the agent used to give natural gas its smell) rotten onions and garlic. Other stuff gives off thiols as part of combustion, including burning hair and vulcanised rubber. The sulphur compounds in cabbages also decompose to thiols, and rotten cabbage is worse than rotten onions.
Skunk is a sort of merry mix of gas, rotten onions, manky cabbage, wet, burning hair and a bit of acrid burning tyre.
The good news is a direct hit from a skunk is so easy to manage, a warm bath with some potassium permanganate will get rid of the smell in a few minutes. The downside is it stains the skin bright purple, so you'll look like a bruise for a few weeks. It's a good conversation starter.
Personally, I'd go for the peroxide. Bright purple skin doesn't suit me.
Firstly, welcome to the weird animal owners club. Luckily, you don't need a DWA licence for skunks.
Skunk smell is from a type of chemical known as a mercaptan (biological) or a thiol (chemistry) which is the same as an alcohol group -OH but the oxygen is replaced with a sulphur, so it's R-SH (organic group, sulphur and hydrogen)
They are easily oxidised, so any oxidising agent will get rid of the smell. That's bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or potassium permanganate, the peroxide and permanganate you can buy from a chemists.
You mentioned the skunk spray and migraines, have you had the same effect with other thiol compounds? These include (but not limited to) natural gas (methanethiol (previously called methyl mercaptan) is the agent used to give natural gas its smell) rotten onions and garlic. Other stuff gives off thiols as part of combustion, including burning hair and vulcanised rubber. The sulphur compounds in cabbages also decompose to thiols, and rotten cabbage is worse than rotten onions.
Skunk is a sort of merry mix of gas, rotten onions, manky cabbage, wet, burning hair and a bit of acrid burning tyre.
The good news is a direct hit from a skunk is so easy to manage, a warm bath with some potassium permanganate will get rid of the smell in a few minutes. The downside is it stains the skin bright purple, so you'll look like a bruise for a few weeks. It's a good conversation starter.
Personally, I'd go for the peroxide. Bright purple skin doesn't suit me.
I’ve always been a weird animal owner 
Or do you mean weird animals? That too. Have I told you about the time I had Crabs at 8 years old?
Thank you for this information. I’ve never had an issue with any of the scents you mention. Triggers have been more often from compressed gasses in particular manufactured air fresheners and some perfumes.
Do you or have you ever had Skunks? It would be great to hear more ‘tails’
Took a quick pic of the pen this morning.
Oilchange said:
What do they eat?
They’ll eat anything they can get their claws into!! But they shouldn’t. Tinks loves Sugar Snap Peas, most veg (Carrots, Broccoli, Cauli, red peppers etc etc) Nuts, grain free dog meat, meat, also added calcium powder etc etc. She gets Locusts, Crickets, Morio Worms usually put in a dig box for enrichment. When they move in to the outdoor pen (will still live in house free roaming supervised when we are home) they will have logs and bark and other natural things where we can hide insects. They need to eat frequently (not like a cat or dog who could be left to skip a meal) else they can suffer seizures from low blood sugar levels/lack of nutrients/vitamins. Would love more input from WoD if you have anything to add? Can’t have too much advice or information especially when they aren’t exactly a common place household pet.
I’d love a Coatimundi, a Racoon Dog and maybe an Armadillo but unfortunately more animals are being added to the invasive species list. And although you no longer or don’t need a DWA to own them it’s now illegal to breed in the U.K. so unless there’s a current owner who needs to find a home it’s doubtful I’ll ever have one. Plus Armadillos tend to have one baby and aren’t easy to breed!
Oilchange said:
Interesting. Wonder how my cat would react to sharing a food bowl with one...
One will probably prevail over the other but it’s not unknown. We don’t feed cat food however. I had been planning on changing my cats to a raw diet but haven’t just yet so maybe one day... Here’s Mum tonight and a few of Kits - my baby girl did a stink leak on me and I couldn’t stop smelling my hand. Other half was disgusted
My baby girl
Had a busy weekend working on other half’s boat and visited an Exotic Pet Refuge where I fell in love with a Coati named Gareth. I’ve always loved these but alas due to a ban on breeding I’ll never have a Gareth of my own.
In the meantime back in the den one of the boys is the first to open his eyes. He’s very very chilled (as are the other two boys), my little madam is still practising her stomping. Typical.
Other half has been suggesting a male from another litter (even on a swap basis) but I was reluctant. The logistics of living on a boat, seven cats, a tortoise, a dog... etc. I am tempted though so will see if there are any late litters or if someone pulls out of a current reservation. Maybe.
In the meantime back in the den one of the boys is the first to open his eyes. He’s very very chilled (as are the other two boys), my little madam is still practising her stomping. Typical.
Other half has been suggesting a male from another litter (even on a swap basis) but I was reluctant. The logistics of living on a boat, seven cats, a tortoise, a dog... etc. I am tempted though so will see if there are any late litters or if someone pulls out of a current reservation. Maybe.
Ladders said:
I’d never heard of anyone having a skunk as a pet before!
What kind of temperament do they have? Do they like being fussed? Can you train them?
They do look cute, especially if you know they’re not going to smell! ??
Temperament can vary to be honest. Tinks is curious, but not one to sit still for long. Some will love to curl up with you, others not so much. Once asleep they sleep solidly! Babies are super confident and good with us. Hopefully this will continue in their new homes where I know they’ll be getting lots of fuss. What kind of temperament do they have? Do they like being fussed? Can you train them?
They do look cute, especially if you know they’re not going to smell! ??
The baby sounds are awesome. Little clip here of one (excuse child noise in background)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQAypeNn9e7/?utm_mediu...
Drive it fix it repeat said:
Wow they are cute, love An unusual pet!
Didn’t realise it was a possibility to own a skunk in this country either. First question that popped into my head was how much does a skunk cost?
Thank you. The boys will be leaving this weekend for their fur-ever homes. They’ve grown so quickly and are getting in to everything they can. Didn’t realise it was a possibility to own a skunk in this country either. First question that popped into my head was how much does a skunk cost?
I’m still on the look out for Armadillos and a Coati of anyone sees or hears of any for homing/sale.
As for how much… a Skunk only has one ‘s’cent
Someone at the beginning. Of this thread remarked about finding a good local rescue/claws clipped and some other Badger related stuff because they were drunk/tired/hadn’t read the opening post… I can’t see the post now so assume they deleted it. If that person is here I’d like to introduce you to the female I’m keeping (on the left)
I’m calling her Badger
I’m calling her Badger
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