Something different. Meet my new baby Skunk

[Gretchen]

Growing up one of my best friends Dad had all manner of animals about the house. I thought nothing of a sleepover with a Fox at the end of the bed and more in enclosures that came and went from the house. A Kinkajou in an outside enclosure, snakes, lizards, Sugar Gliders, Hedgehogs, Fancy Rats and Mice and other mammals. I always wanted a Skunk.

Last week that dream was fulfilled after I found one locally for sale and took my boyfriend to see her...

Meet Maude. Born Spring 2019. Litter trained, loves to snuggle and just the sweetest nature. Maude was born outside of the U.K. and has had her scent glands removed. A practice now illegal here. She loves her food, in particular Carrots, Chicken, Beef, Red Peppers, Almonds and natural dog food and treats. My cats (haven’t met her yet) have kindly donated lots of their toys which she enjoys playing with, chasing balls and digging for treats in the tunnels.

Maude will hopefully take to walking on a harness so she can enjoy trips to the park to forage for grubs and such. And I also plan to take her in to work (care home) to meet the residents (elderly/dementia) as a therapy pet.

[Gretchen]

UTH said:

I remember many years ago seeing something on TV about someone with a pet skunk and it looked like one of the cutest pets I'd ever seen!

I assume it's possible to toilet train? Does it use a litter tray? Or wait until it can go outside?

She so soft, her tail course similar to dogs, uses a litter box like a cat would. If she’s let out it needs to be in a secure space as she doesn’t have recall and her ‘wild’ instinct would result in her wandering and getting lost. She will most likely be microchipped as a precaution in the event this happened. Due to her being de-scented she’d also lack a homing skill.

Oh she now appears to have inherited the name ‘Tinks’ due to her inquisitive and tinkering nature.

[Gretchen]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

I would have called her Pongo. Although she looks like........a Nancy

Haha. We had this discussion. Nancy is a spider! (He’s just got a Jumping Spider so maybe on the cards?)

[Gretchen]

Kes Arevo said:

So... Any smelly incidents?

She doesn’t have scent glands. So other than her stool which she’s does in the litter tray and to be honest doesn’t smell half as bad as a cat, no.

[Gretchen]

Her claws are for foraging. I guess if she ever had the time to get bored she might start digging at carpets. But so far so good. They are nowhere near as sharp as cat claws. One of my cats scratches like a hypodermic needle almost every time he jumps up for cuddles!

Yep she backs in to the corner of the litter tray to defecate. Much like a ferret/hamster. My other half has had house Ferrets before and says she’s similar.

Little video of her snaffling her favourite bits from her food bowl.

[Gretchen]

Tinks first time with Locusts. She’s quick on these so hard to get a photo.

[Gretchen]

Live Locusts. She also love Morioworms. She’s quick so I doubt any would escape her attention. But I’m answer to your question not likely. I used to have Leopard Geckos and would have the odd Cricket or Locust escape and other than chirruping behind a bookshelf they don’t do much else.

[Gretchen]

Turn7 said:

As a Crested Gecko owner, I only feed locusts
As live now..

Had far to much aggro with escaped crix.

At least you can catch a locust...

Ha. I hated a rogue Cricket. Love the noise when camping but when it’s hopped off somewhere indoors and upstairs totally different ball game.
Apparently tipping a box in vengeance (or just for laughs) through someone’s letter box is a popular thing these days...! Probably every Skunks dream delivery.

[Gretchen]

crofty1984 said:

DO NOT. UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. SHOW THIS TO MY WIFE.

You definitely won’t want to share this with her then...

Things took an unexpected turn this morning. After hearing some squeaking and investigating it turns out Tinks must’ve been pregnant. She’s given birth to four kits so far...

[Gretchen]

condor said:

That is a surprise - Are you in a state of shock?

Pretty much. To the point I forgot my trousers
(Change in to uniform at work and currently wearing my leopard print leggings!)

[Gretchen]

Laughing at all of the above comments. Still a bit shocked but a pleasant surprise. Haven’t stopped smiling. She’s being an unbelievably good Mum! Coming off them to eat (not touching her fruit and veg though just taking meat and nuts - it’ll be a protein rich diet, we have watered down puppy meat for her and extra Hoppers and worms etc.)

She’s still not met the cats. Daddy (Chihuahua got her tail up and he growls but they stay away from each other).

I work in the office/admin side of a private care home. Leopard print went down well - I’ve usually got some on somewhere anyway it was just overkill yesterday.

I’ll keep the thread updated with pics and progress. We won’t be handling babies for a few weeks so forgive any grainy photos as they’re just taken when Mum is feeding.

Development will be much in line with kittens, still to open their ears and eyes. Can’t wait until they’re on their wobbly legs, tails up and playing

We will be keeping one and finding suitable homes for the rest, some breeders have waiting lists (they aren’t easy to breed haha) so shouldn’t be difficult.










Mum chasing Crickets in her dig box last night



We picked up some panels a few weeks ago to make an addition to my current Catio for Tinks. We’re now planning something extra with a heated kennel and hopefully will start basics this weekend.

If anyone has any galvanised welded mesh, aviary panels, a small shed or anything of use within a forty mile radius of the Cambs/Beds border we would be happy to give it a good home!!

[Gretchen]

Mars said:

I understand from your earlier post that Momma had her scent glands removed at some point but won't the kits be stinky once they grow up?

Kits will have their glands. However Skunks rarely spray unless threatened. Reading others experience it seems owners have maybe encountered a spray once in 8 years, or never at all. As babies have been born in to home environment and will be handled and raised in such and introduced to dog/cats they should be well behaved. I suppose you could compare it to a dog attacking? Obviously they are ‘wild animals’ It’s capable but if brought up correctly it would never happen?

[Gretchen]

I’m trying to upload a video of babies but not sure the sound is there? They’re such squeakers! Can someone post if this isn’t working and I’ll try another way later. Thank you.

[Gretchen]

We have an Instagram for Tinks if anyone wants to follow, video of babies is on there now

https://instagram.com/skunk_tails?igshid=x1oqqcgrg...

[Gretchen]

Story of my life

[Gretchen]

Update on the kits. Starting to fluff up now, can see their tail fur coming through. Mum still gentle as ever. We are off to pick up an amazing 18’ heated pen/kennel today.

[Gretchen]

[Gretchen]

Update...We’ve sexed the kits and have one girl and three boys. These have to be the easiest babies to sex ever!

Girl



And the boys








Mum performing for worms




For those interested boys are more exposed...

Female



Male

[Gretchen]

It’s a bit of a myth regarding Tomato Juice.

This little one just emitted a stink on me. To be honest I actually liked it! Weird as that sounds. I suffer migraines and can tell pretty much immediately if a scent will trigger one. His smell almost relaxed me. Maybe I’ve found the cute

[Gretchen]

ali_kat said:

Same! Scent is a huge trigger for me

I did joke that I’d make billions if I’d found the cure for migraines. Imagine the pitch on Dragon’s Den

We’ve been building our new pen over the weekend. Made good progress with just the left side to put up now, get the roofing on and sort electrics. Then I’m moving in. I’m already furnishing it The removable Perspex sliding screens are brilliant. Will keep winds out and nice and warm in winter. This will also be used for foster cats/ferals through my continued work with CPL.

Reception area



If anyone wants to come for afternoon tea



We need to cut in to the Laurel Hedge slightly so waiting for a dry evening to get the right side pen up but so far so good.