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| The skunk makes a good pet. |
Everyone knows the Skunk, with its beautiful black and white fur, and the terrible name it has for the smell which issues from its body. The glands which contain this disagreeable liquid in many cases have been removed, leaving the skunk, which is naturally good-tempered, a jolly little playfellow. The skunk is easily tamed, and will live contentedly about a garden.
In a Western double-framed house a family of skunks lived between the outer and inner shells of the wall, and as night came on they were to be heard running over the beams after prey. They destroyed every living thing, from rats down to black beetles, and were never offensive to the household unless suddenly disturbed by one of the cats. As a matter of fact, the skunks had their own way, and the cats, with great wisdom, kept at a distance. Nevertheless, there was a collision at times, and the skunk made the neighborhood aware of it. Baby skunks are the prettiest of little things, looking very innocent as they frisk about. Except for color they look like young squirrels.
Skunks are strictly American animals, and are known all over the country. In some places they reach as great a total length as eighteen inches, but the average is much smaller than this. They have strong burrowing claws, and when wild live in holes that they dig out for themselves. They sleep all day and come out at night to hunt' for food. If suddenly met by a man they show little concern, and will often look at the intruder impudently. Their lack of fear comes from their knowing that no one will interfere with them. When they become too numerous they are best cleared out with a gun, but the hunter must be skillful at his work, for they must be shot dead. If only wounded they will crawl under a house or barn and make it impossible for anyone to come near them. Their peculiar odor is very strong, clinging for months together to horses, cattle, dogs, cats, and garments that have come in contact with it.
In a Western double-framed house a family of skunks lived between the outer and inner shells of the wall, and as night came on they were to be heard running over the beams after prey. They destroyed every living thing, from rats down to black beetles, and were never offensive to the household unless suddenly disturbed by one of the cats. As a matter of fact, the skunks had their own way, and the cats, with great wisdom, kept at a distance. Nevertheless, there was a collision at times, and the skunk made the neighborhood aware of it. Baby skunks are the prettiest of little things, looking very innocent as they frisk about. Except for color they look like young squirrels.
Skunks are strictly American animals, and are known all over the country. In some places they reach as great a total length as eighteen inches, but the average is much smaller than this. They have strong burrowing claws, and when wild live in holes that they dig out for themselves. They sleep all day and come out at night to hunt' for food. If suddenly met by a man they show little concern, and will often look at the intruder impudently. Their lack of fear comes from their knowing that no one will interfere with them. When they become too numerous they are best cleared out with a gun, but the hunter must be skillful at his work, for they must be shot dead. If only wounded they will crawl under a house or barn and make it impossible for anyone to come near them. Their peculiar odor is very strong, clinging for months together to horses, cattle, dogs, cats, and garments that have come in contact with it.
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