Skunk

2023-05-20T05:32:55Z

158.51.118.18: /* Mainstream skunk characters */ added a new character to the list

{{species}}
[[File:Striped Skunk.jpg|right|thumb|250px|A striped skunk]]
[[File:Pepe Le Pew2.png|right|thumb|215px|Warner Bros.' Pepé Le Pew]]
[[File:Skunk-Animal Crossing Character Skunk.png|right|thumb|215px|Kicks from the video game Animal Crossing]]
[[File:SabrinaCurrent.png|right|thumb|215px|Sabrina, namesake of the [[webcomic]] ''Sabrina Online'']]
[[File:FlowerSkunkDustmeat.jpg|right|thumb|215px|Flower skunk, art by [[Dustmeat]].]]
'''Skunks''' are [[mammal]]s in the family [[W:Mephitidae|Mephitidae]], which includes the '''striped''', '''spotted''', '''hog-nosed''', '''hooded''' skunks, and [[stink badgers]], among other [[species]].<ref name="msw">{{cite web|url=https://www.departments.bucknell.edu/biology/resources/msw3/browse.asp?s=y&id=14001521|title=Mammal Species of the World - Browse: Mephitidae|accessdate=2021-01-01|work=Mammal Species of the World 2005|publisher=Bucknell University}}</ref><ref name="adw">{{cite web|author=Wund, Matthew|year=2005|url=https://animaldiversity.org/site/accounts/information/Mephitidae.html|title=ADW: Mephitidae: INFORMATION|accessdate=2021-01-01|work=Animal Diversity Web|Publisher=University of Michigan Museum of Zoology}}</ref><ref name="dragoo">{{cite web|url=http://www.dragoo.org/|title=Wild Skunk Information|publisher=Dragoo Institute for the Betterment of Skunks and Skunk Reputations|accessdate=2021-01-01|date=2016-06-26}}</ref>

Within skunk species and subspecies, [[fur]] may vary in appearance from black-and-white to brown, cream, ginger-colored, and white (non-[[W:Albino|albino]])<ref>[https://sciencing.com/colors-skunks-8686827.html ''Skunk Colors: Black and White (Mostly)''] article on the [https://sciencing.com/ Sciencing] website. Retrieved January 6, 2021.</ref> colors, but they all display [[W:Aposematism|aposematism]] (or warning coloration), with the stereotypical white-on-black counter-shaded appearance being highly visible. Their fur patterns range from stripes to hoods, and complex spots.<ref name="dragoo"/><ref name="sap-faq">{{cite web|url=http://www.skunksaspets.com/faq.htm|title=FAQ|work=Skunks as Pets|accessdate=2021-01-05}}</ref>

Skunks are [[W:crepuscular|crepuscular]] and solitary [[W:omnivore|omnivores]], primarily eating [[insect]]s and roots.<ref name="adw"/>

While many millions of years ago skunks were once native to various parts of the world they are currently only located naturally in the Americas continents, as well as islands in the Philippines and Indonesia.<ref name="adw"/><ref name="dragoo"/> Some of their oldest range included Europe, with the oldest identified skunk fossil found in Germany, dated to 11–12 million years ago.<ref name="dragoo"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/animal/skunk/Natural-history|title=Skunk - Natural History|work=Encyclopaedia Brittanica|accessdate=2021-01-01}}</ref>

The most unique aspect of skunks is their ability to spray a foul-smelling fluid. The fluid is produced in specialized [[W:Anal gland|anal sac]]s evolved from sacs that all mammals possess. Muscles surrounding these sacs allow for skunks to accurately spray the fluid over 1 meter (3 feet), with some species able to spray upwards of 6 meters (20 feet). Skunks are also able to [[W:Aerosolization|aerosolize]] the fluid into a mist if they cannot aim.<ref name="adw"/><ref name="dragoo"/>

Their prior noted striking appearance serves as a warning to potential predators of the small animal. When frightened they may also move to alert and scare the target before spraying, these movements may include running towards the target aggressively, stomping, snarling, and even performing handstands with the tail held high.<ref name="adw"/><ref name="dragoo"/>

== Classification ==

Mephitids were once classified as [[W:Mustelidae|mustelids]] ([[polecat]]s, [[badger]]s, [[ferret]]s, etc), under the family Mustelidae. Recent genetic evidence shows that skunks are more distantly related to mustelids than once thought. The most distantly related mephitids are the old world stink badgers ([[W:Mydaus|Genus Mydaus]]), native to the Philippines and Indonesia.<ref name="dragoo"/><ref>[https://retrieverman.net/2015/11/01/old-world-skunk/ ''Old World skunk''] article on the [https://retrieverman.net Natural History]'s blog. Retrieved January 1, 2021.</ref>

Mephitidae is part of the superfamily [[W:Musteloidea|Musteloidea]], itself a part of the order [[W:Carnivora|Carnivora]]. Mephitidae shares this superfamily with [[W:Ailuridae|Ailuridae]] ([[red panda]]s), [[W:Procyonidae|Procyonidae]] ([[raccoon]]s), and Mustelidae. Within this superfamily Mephitidae is closest related to [[W:Ailuridae|Ailuridae]] and Procyonidae.<ref name="msw"/>

The living species of skunks include:<ref name="msw"/>

* Family: '''Mephitidae'''
** Genus: [[W:Conepatus|Conepatus]] (hog-nosed skunks)
*** ''Conepatus chinga'' – [[W:Molina's hog-nosed skunk|Molina's hog-nosed skunk]]
*** ''Conepatus humboldtii'' – [[W:Humboldt's hog-nosed skunk|Humboldt's hog-nosed skunk]]
*** ''Conepatus leuconotus'' – [[W:American hog-nosed skunk|American hog-nosed skunk]]
*** ''Conepatus semistriatus'' – [[W:striped hog-nosed skunk|striped hog-nosed skunk]]
** Genus: [[W:Mephitis_(genus)|Mephitis]] (skunks)
*** ''Mephitis macroura'' - [[W:hooded skunk|hooded skunk]]
*** ''Mephitis mephitis'' – [[W:striped skunk|striped skunk]]
** Genus: '''Mydaus''' (stink badgers)
*** ''Mydaus marchei'' – [[W:palawan stink badger|palawan stink badger]]
*** ''Mydaus javanensis'' – [[W:sunda stink badger|sunda stink badger]]
** Genus: [[W:Spilogale|Spilogale]] (spotted skunks)
*** ''Spilogale angustifrons'' – [[W:southern spotted skunk|southern spotted skunk]]
*** ''Spilogale gracilis'' – [[W:western spotted skunk|western spotted skunk]]
*** ''Spilogale putorius'' – [[W:eastern spotted skunk|eastern spotted skunk]]
*** ''Spilogale pygmaea'' – [[W:pygmy spotted skunk|pygmy spotted skunk]]

== Skunks in mainstream ==

Skunks are popular [[character]]s in (especially children's) media, with examples including [[Pepé Le Pew]] from [[Warner Bros. (company)|Warner Bros.]]' [[Looney Tunes]], [[Fifi La Fume]] from Warner Bros.' [[Tiny Toon Adventures]], [[Kicks]] from [[Animal Crossing]], [[Flower]] from [[The Walt Disney Company]]'s ''[[Bambi]]'', and many others. In these depictions, they are often seen as cute and lovable.

But the most common [[W:Trope (cinema)|trope]] involving skunks is of them having a foul odor. This stems, as noted before, from their self-defense spray mechanism. This trope is often pushed to them having an unbearable odor at all times (Pepé Le Pew, [[Johnny Appleseed]], [[Stella the skunk]], ''[[Open Season (film)|Open Season]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Rosie]] and [[Maria]], [[Cory "Cilantro" the skunk]], etc), which is generally false. Typical skunks will smell musty, like ferrets or other mustelids, but will not smell like they have been sprayed on.{{cn}}

Skunks have a negative perception among the general populous. They are seen as [[vermin]] that eat trash and die as roadkill. Dogs and other pets are commonly sprayed by skunks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://skunk.com/general-skunk-facts/|title=General Skunk Facts|work=Skunk.com|accessdate=2021-01-06}}</ref>

The relative frequency of being sprayed by a skunk (being ''skunked'') has led to numerous home remedies to rid the smell from clothing, skin, hair, etc. The most famous of such remedies is the (ineffective) tomato juice bath, with other ineffective remedies including beer. A widely agreed upon working remedy is a solution of [[W:Hydrogen peroxide|hydrogen peroxide]], [[W:baking soda|baking soda]], and soap used to clean important things like skin and hair.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/story/does-tomato-juice-really-neutralize-skunk-odor|title=Does Tomato Juice Really Neutralize Skunk Odor?|work=Britannica|accessdate=2021-01-05}}</ref>

=== Pets ===

Some people keep skunks as an uncommon pet, especially for their fur pattern.<ref name="sap-ss">{{cite web|url=http://www.skunksaspets.com/skunkstuff.htm|title=Skunk Stuff|work=Skunks as Pets|accessdate=2021-01-05}}</ref> While they are native, pet skunks are seen as exotic in North America. The most commonly kept species is ''Mephitis mephitis'', which is the most social and familiar.{{cn}} Pet skunks often have their scent glands surgically removed, except in the UK where it is illegal (as per the [[W:Animal Welfare Act 2006|Animal Welfare Act 2006]]). Pet skunks are trained to use litter boxes, which they may have trouble finding when first trained or when the box is moved.<ref name="sap-ss"/>

=== Mainstream skunk characters ===

* '''Pepé Le Pew''' (Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes)
* '''Fifi La Fume''' (Warner Bros.' Tiny Toon Adventures)
* [[Bimbette Skunk]] (Warner Bros.' Tiny Toon Adventures)
* '''Kicks''' ([[Nintendo]]'s Animal Crossing)
* '''Flower''' (The Walt Disney Company's ''Bambi'')
* '''Stella the skunk''' (''Over the Hedge'')
* '''Rosie''' (''Open Season'')
* '''Maria''' (''Open Season'')
* '''Meg''' (''[[Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness]]'')
* [[Miss Mam'selle Hepzibah]] (''[[Pogo]]'')
* [[Petunia (skunk)|Petunia]] ([[W:Mondo Media|Mondo Media]]'s ''Happy Tree Friends'')
* [[Skunk (character)|Skunk]] ([[W:ABC Monsters|ABC Monsters]]'s ''[[Skunk Fu!]]'')
* [[Geoffrey St. John]] ([[Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie Comics)]])
* [[Cyrille Le Paradox]] (''[[Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time]]'')

== Skunks and furry ==

Skunks are a commonly chosen species for [[furry]] [[characters]]/[[OC]]s, [[fursona]]s and/or [[fursuit]]s in the [[furry fandom]], with polls and references<ref name="pounced">{{cite web|url=http://www.pounced.org/stats/stats.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060710062553/http://www.pounced.org/stats/stats.html|archivedate=2006-07-10|accessdate=2021-01-01|title=Pounced.org user stats page}}</ref> listing this preference in the [[List of most popular species|top 20 of all species]] for several decades.<ref name="frc">{{cite web|url=http://www.furcenter.org/pubs/Furry_Species.pdf|title=Species representation in the furry fandom|publisher=Furry Research Center|date=2008-07-27|accessdate=2021-01-01}}</ref>

[[Anthropomorphic]] [[female]] skunks are sometimes referred to affectionately as '''skunkettes'''. Its creation is attributed to [[furry artist]]s [[Taral Wayne]] and [[Steve Martin]] (of [[Mauvette]] fame).

There are a variety of fictional furry skunk species, with the most prominent of them being the [[skunktaur]].

Skunks are often associated with the [[W:Flatuence|flatuence]] [[fetish]], [[W:Eproctophilia|eproctophilia]], in media and play (i.e. [[fursuiting]]).

=== Furry skunk characters ===

* [[Sabrina]] ('''Sabrina Conrad''', née '''Sabrina Skunk'''. ''[[Sabrina Online]]'')
* [[Tabitha|Tabitha Skunk]] (''Sabrina Online'')
* [[Zig Zag]] ([[Max Black Rabbit]])
* [[Meredith Skunk]] (''[[The World of Vicki Fox (comic)|The World of Vicki Fox]]'')
* [[Sue-chan]] (''[[Andorozon]]'')
* [[Passion]] (''[[Extinctioners]]'')
* [[Frenchie]] (Steve Martin)
* [[Gwenneth]] (''[[Kevin & Kell]]'')
* [[Martin "Marty" Miller]] (''[[Cycles]]'')

== See also ==

* [[W:Skunk|Skunk]] on [[Wikipedia]]
* [[Skunkfucker]]
* [[:Category:Skunk characters]]
* [[:Category:Skunk-hybrid characters]]

== References ==
<references/>

==External links==

* [https://www.deviantart.com/search?q=Skunk Skunk] search results on [[DeviantArt]]
* [https://www.furaffinity.net/search/?q=Skunk Skunk] search results on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://furry.de/miavir/stories/key.skunk.html Skunk] search results on [[Mia's Index of Anthro' Stories]]
* [https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=skunkette Skunkette] on the [[W:Urban Dictionary|Urban Dictionary]]

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[[Category:Skunk species]]

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WikiFur - User contributions [en]

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