THE JOYS AND DANGERS OF PHOTOGRAPHING WILD SKUNKS

papa-pepper (80)in Amazing Nature • 2 years ago

I definitely took a risk here!

While herping with a new friend ("herping" being exploring the wild in search of reptiles and amphibians) we encountered a pile of tires. I noticed animal activity, including scat (poop) and a burrow, and we almost immediately found a Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum), so we were both excited and wary right from the start.

Here's a look at that milk snake. Beautiful, isn't it?

Anyway, I did not recognize the scat right away, but both it and burrow appeared to be of mammalian origin. As we continued our exploration in hopes of additional Milk Snakes, a skunk emerged from the burrow. My new friend was literally taken aback by it, but I carried on with the business at hand. Yes, skunks can spray, but that's from the rear end of them, beneath the tail. Also, last I heard, there was no cure for skunk rabies, but this one did not appear to be very defensive.

While I searched for serpents, it mostly watched and evaluated escape routes. Eventually I asked my new friend to lend me his phone so I could take a few photos of the skunk, and he obliged, albeit from a distance. Eventually the skunk decided it had had enough for the time being and departed across the field. We finished our herping adventure in the tire pile and only turned up a small newt before piling the tires back up. I think the skunk probably returned later that day after our departure.

Here are the photos of the skunk. Would you shove a phone just a few feet from a skunk to take some photos? If you do, please be careful. Enjoy!