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On a hike through the woods of Wonderopolis the other day, we overheard a beaver and a badger telling a joke about a :

Beaver: Hey Badger! Did you hear the one about the ?

Badger: *sigh* No, I didn't, but I have a feeling you're going to tell me.

Beaver: Why did the go to school?

Badger: I have no idea. Why did the go to school?

Beaver: For show and ! Ha ha ha!

Badger: Wow. That joke really stinks!

Do you agree with Badger? Did Beaver's joke really? Even if you liked it, there's one thing that's for sure: skunks can really .

But it's not the itself that stinks. It's actually a special that the can release to defend itself from predators, such as wolves, foxes and badgers.

When a feels threatened, it can squirt its special from glands underneath its tail. Skunks can accurately hit a target from up to 10 feet away!

A 's is made up of chemicals called thiols. Thiols are compounds that can cause headaches and burning or stinging in the eyes. The worst part, though, is the .

If you've ever smelled , you know how unpleasant it is! Some people have described the of a 's as a combination of rotten eggs, garlic and burnt rubber. Phew!

It's this horrible that sends the strong message to predators that says, "Stay away from me!" How powerful is a 's ? Very powerful! Even large bears will avoid tiny skunks to keep from being sprayed. Unfortunately, one - the great horned owl - has a very poor sense of and is rarely deterred by a 's .

Skunks don't unless they feel threatened. Their glands only hold enough for five or six strikes. If they use up all their , it can take up to 10 days to make more. Before spraying, a will usually try other ways of scaring off a , including hissing, stomping its feet and lifting its tail to a attack.

If you have a pet that ever gets sprayed by a , don't fall back on old wives' tales that tell you to give your pet a bath in tomato juice. Instead, follow these "de-skunking" instructions to use a special solution of hydrogen peroxide , baking soda and liquid soap to clean your pet.

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On a hike through the woods of Wonderopolis the other day, we overheard a beaver and a badger telling a joke about a : Beaver: Hey Badger! Did you hear the one about the ? Badger: *sigh* No, I didn't, but I have a feeling you're going to tell me.

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Even if you've never seen a skunk, you've probably smelled its scent. Skunks live throughout the United States in woodland areas, near farms and even in cities. They're shy animals that don't want a fight, but if bothered, they'll spray their enemies with a terrible smell.

Skunks, like raccoons, are omnivores. They eat fish, clams, insects, fruit, vegetables, lizards, and birdseed. They have long claws to dig with and they're very smart. A skunk will roll a furry caterpillar in the dirt to get rid of its irritating hairs before eating it.

Fun Facts about Skunks for Kids

Most skunks are black with two white stripes down their backs. A few are spotted white and black all over.

Apart from the US, skunks can be found in central Canada and Northern Mexico.

Skunks get into garbage cans and compost bins. They eat pet food and will raid a vegetable garden.

Skunks have glands on their bottom that spray their stinky smell. Skunks can spray up to 12 feet away. The smell can last for up to four months!

Skunks live in old tree stumps, under logs or in dens. Sometimes they crawl into people's attics or basements.

Skunks are nocturnal. They sleep during the day and look for food at night.

Most skunks only live two or three years. They are often hit by cars or killed by dogs, coyotes, owls or bobcats.

Skunk Vocabulary

Learn More All About Skunks

Watch a video all about skunks:

A video about facts about skunks as pets.

Skunk Q&A

Question: Do skunks spray humans very often?

Answer: Skunks would rather run away or climb a tree than spray a human. They only spray as a last defense. As long as you leave them alone, they'll leave you alone.

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Question: Are skunks dangerous?

Answer: Skunks eat insects and rodents so they're actually helpful. But they are wild animals. Sometimes they carry diseases and they'll scratch or bite if trapped.

Enjoyed the Easy Science for Kids Website all about Skunks info? Take the FREE & fun all about Skunks quiz and download FREE Skunks worksheet for kids. For lengthy info click here.

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Even if you've never seen a skunk, you've probably smelled its scent. Skunks live throughout the United States in woodland areas, near farms and even in cities. They're shy animals that don't want a fight, but if bothered, they'll spray their enemies with a terrible smell. Skunks, like raccoons, are omnivores.

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Skunk Babies are Stinkin' Cute | Bandit Patrol

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When a group of young skunks are found abandoned, wildlife rehabbers jump in to the rescue. ➡ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/NatGeoWILDSubscribe ➡ Get More Bandit Patrol: http://bit.ly/BanditPatrol ➡ BANDIT PATROL AIRS SATURDAYS 9/8c. About Bandit Patrol: Welcome to the world of wildlife rehabilitation, a profession that appeals only to those with a strong will and a big heart.

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NATURE | Is That Skunk? | Baby Skunks | PBS

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Get a whiff of this familiar mammal, notorious for its unique predator-deterrent. Learn more about the life of the legendary skunk.

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You may not have seen a skunk in your neighborhood, but you've probably smelled one. Their smelly spray, called musk, is not easy to ignore! Skunks live all over North and South America, in rural areas, suburbs, and the city. But if you see one, watch out!