In the preceding article on skunks we spoke about the striped skunk. The spotted skunk, sometimes called a civet, is another major species. It is among the smaller species, having habits much like the striped species. Some consider it the prettiest of all skunks with its soft, glossy fur and white-tipped tail proudly held over its back. The white portions of its fur form many patterns over its body — no two skunks looking alike.
This skunk is most likely to make its den in a burrow or under a boulder, but sometimes invades barns or crawl spaces under houses. Its musky spray is not as strong as others, but it is still effective. Unlike the striped skunk, it can easily climb trees for fruit and bird nests, and will even go into water for frogs and crayfish.
The hooded skunk is the least numerous of skunks and does not have the prominent markings of the other species, although displaying a nice range of designs. It prefers to make its home in abandoned burrows.
It is found only in the states of Arizona and New Mexico and in the country of Mexico. Its name comes from the long white hairs that stand up on its head like a pretty hood. Living in the desert, its choice of food is limited to rodents, beetles and other insects. It uses its long claws to dig them out of the ground or to overturn stones where they hide. Occasionally it will add to its diet an unwary bird or its eggs, as well as fruit from desert plants.
The hognose or badger skunk has coloring which is different from the rest. The entire top of its body is usually white, as is its long tail, but the rest of it is brown or blackish, spotted here and there with white. Its snout is bare accounting for the name hognose. It is sometimes also called a badger skunk because its claws are so much like that animal’s. Its back claws are dark and short while its ivory-colored front claws are strong and long, provided by the Creator for digging. Its food is similar to that of the hooded skunk.
There is not enough space to tell about all of them, but skunks should speak to us of the Creator’s wisdom in providing for all of their needs and giving them such an unusual means of self-defense. They have no way of knowing of the One watching over them, but the Bible tell us “The works of the Lord are great.... He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” Psalms 111:2,42The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. (Psalm 111:2)
4He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. (Psalm 111:4).
It is compassion which has provided a Saviour to redeem from their sins all who call upon and trust in Him. Are you among the great number who have done this and can look forward to being with Him in heaven?
ML-04/14/1985