In the last article we looked at 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 areas of its fur form many patterns over its body, with no two skunks the same.
This skunk is most likely to make its den in a burrow or under a boulder, but sometimes it 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 to raid bird nests. It 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 other species. Its name comes from the long, white hairs that stand up on its head like a hood. It is found only in Arizona and New Mexico and in the country of Mexico. It prefers to make its home in an abandoned burrow. Living in the desert, its choice of food is limited to rodents, beetles and other insects. 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 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 with an occasional white spot. Its snout is bare, accounting for the name hognose. It is sometimes called a badger skunk because its claws are so much like a badger’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.
Skunks show us 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 the One who watches over them, but the Bible tells us that “the works of the Lord are great. . . . He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion” (Psalm 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 the Lord God’s compassion which has provided a Saviour to redeem from their sins all who call upon Him and trust in Him. Have you done this, and are you looking forward to being with Him in heaven?
ML-07/20/2003