I stepped out into the twilight of a heat Tehachapi afternoon. The everyday west to northwest breeze stirred the air and I might really feel it frivolously on my face. After which, all of the sudden, there was that pungent, pungent odor that may journey for a few miles: clearly a skunk had sprayed.
The scent got here from far-off, to the west of the place I used to be, and was carried on the breeze. A minute or two earlier I had heard lots of canine barking in that course and I puzzled if the canine had precipitated the skunk to fireplace his sniff gun.
We have now two totally different species of skunks within the Tehachapi Mountains: the striped skunks. (Mephites mephites)that are by far the most typical, and the western noticed skunk, smaller and rarer to seek out. (Spilogale gracilis).
When alarmed, each species can simply expel a foul-smelling, oily, yellowish fluid from glands on the base of the tail. It’s a dangerous combination of intense compounds referred to as thiols, which is a phrase derived from the traditional Greek phrase for sulfur (theion) and the phrase “alcohol.” In older books, thiols are sometimes referred to as “mercaptans.”
This protection mechanism is so sturdy that it has left skunks with few predators. Skunks don't transfer very quick, they don't have distinctive listening to or imaginative and prescient, they usually aren't very cautious. As a result of they don't must be: when threatened, they merely increase their tail and infrequently strike with their entrance paws as a warning spray is imminent; virtually all different animals will give in, from a pink fox to a grizzly bear.
A notable exception are nice horned owls, which have virtually no sense of scent and may usually swoop in and kill a skunk with a couple of claws to the cranium earlier than it has an opportunity to spray.
In case you are calm round skunks and don't scare them, they normally received't unleash their stink cannon. Nevertheless, for those who scare one sufficient, they'll shortly ship you a teaspoon or two of a surprisingly disgusting concoction.
One summer season day, I used to be jogging alongside a slim filth path within the alpine forest space and adopted the path right into a sandy ravine that was about seven toes deep and perhaps six toes large. Simply as I began to exit the ravine on the opposite facet, there was a skunk standing proper within the path.
I used to be frightened after I noticed the skunk, and was much more frightened by my sudden look. At this level, I used to be nonetheless largely within the ravine and my head was proper degree with the path. The skunk turned and instantly launched a stink missile at me.
I reacted instinctively as quickly as my mind processed the sight of the black and white creature, and launched myself to the suitable, falling into the ravine. An extremely intense and unforgettable scent stuffed the air, as you realize for those who've ever been close to a skunk unloading.
Initially, it doesn't even have that acquainted musky skunk aroma – it's so intense that it smells like burning chemical compounds. Like a toxic industrial leak.
I ended up mendacity within the sand and weeds, however managed to keep away from getting any thiol drops on me, so the failure was price it.
I've been sprayed earlier than although, so I’ve some expertise with that. One summer season, the 2 canine I had on the time took turns being sprayed by a skunk, one or the opposite, three totally different occasions every, so a complete of six totally different events.
I attempted washing them with varied house cures: tomato juice, buttermilk, canned tomatoes, vinegar. . . None of them labored nicely. A store-bought remedy referred to as Skunk Off labored greatest, however then I realized about the best house remedy and began utilizing it.
First you combine a liter of three% hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup of baking soda and a teaspoon of dish cleaning soap, with out water! – and rub this into your pet's fur. Or in your garments or boots, no matter takes the influence. Go away it on for not less than 10 minutes.
You need to then wash the combination with shampoo, however don’t rush the method or you’ll proceed to detect that scent for the subsequent few days. The scent has to go away a bit as is, however the hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish cleaning soap system ought to neutralize the stench cheaply, successfully, and safely.
The perfect strategy, after all, is solely to keep away from alarming a skunk, in order that spray is just not emitted. Nevertheless, canine usually appear to overlook that notice, so for those who stay in one of many outlying areas and have a canine, it's a good suggestion to be sure you have the treatment elements readily available, simply in case.
Skunks are enjoyable little creatures which can be entertaining to observe, so long as you possibly can keep an inexpensive distance from them. Nevertheless, for those who or your canine get sprayed, I’d go straight to the closet for hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.
Have week.
Jon Hammond has written for Tehachapi Information for greater than 40 years. Ship an electronic mail to tehachapimtnlover@gmail.com.