Why are their skunks?

Question

i know most animals do things that help out nature but what do skunks do besides stink?

Answer 1

The concept that every thing in nature has a purpose and in necessary to the system is a load of new age bull. If nature where that delicate we wouldn't be here today. The reality is that nature is a really tough and blind old *****. It's designed to work almost no matter what.

Answer 2

Not everything in life is ment to be perfect  

Answer 3

Same reason we have annoying insects because they are some how part of the food chain and help carry on and control it. The chain is like a pile of blocks you really don't know which block will make everything come crashing down as annoying as they may be.

Answer 4

  Well one thing about skunks they don't make an effort to wipe out their own kind.

  Men seem to be the only ones to do this.

Answer 5

Skunks help in getting rid of mice, rats, and other pests to humans. They help people who have lawns know that they have a grub problem. They provide much and are unique. They are God's creatures.... like us.

Answer 6

Longevity ...

At least 7 years (8-10 years in captivity).

Rabies concern ...

Skunks are the chief carrier of rabies. Skunk spray is not known to carry rabies virus.

The nose knows ...

Skunks are best known for their odorous defense. They are able to expel a fine spray of foul-smelling musk. The skunk's scent glands are mature at less than one month of age.

Warnings ...

Most species of skunk forewarn predators by stamping their front feet, raising their tail and walking stiff-legged. Spotted skunks will occasionally bluff by handstanding without spraying. If that fails, they will drop onto all fours and spray. The spray is aimed at the face and causes intense irritation, even temporary blindness, if it reaches the eyes.

Do owls have a nose? ...

Most animals avoid skunks. However, a notable exception is the Great horned owl, which does not appear to be deterred by skunk spray while foraging at night.

Not all skunks are black and white ...

There can be considerable variation in coat pattern even within species: for example in the Hooded skunk the white-backed form has two bands of white on its back narrowly separated by a black line, whereas in the blackbacked form the white stripes are widely separated and are situated on the sides of the animal. The fur color is not always black; it can be various shades of brown, as well.

A safe distance ...

Skunks can spray up to 4-7m (13-23 ft) in a favorable wind-although they are usually only accurate for up to about 2m (6.5ft).

What smell? ...

Normally skunks and skunk dens do not smell "skunky." During aggressive encounters between skunks, however, they will spray one another.

Meals ...

All skunks are largely carnivorous, with insects and small mammals as major prey, but they also eat grubs, birds' eggs and fruit seasonally.

Habitats ...

They are found in a wide variety of habitats, and are common in many urban areas, but prefer open or forest edge areas, where they forage at night, using their long front claws for rooting out food.

Managing winter ...

Inactive denning periods (not true hibernation) occur during the winter months if weather conditions are severe. In some areas several species occur together, but each uses different portions of the area more effectively than the others.

Activity ...

Except for Spotted skunks, which are mainly active at twilight, skunks are chiefly nocturnal. For example, stripped skunks, normally forage only at dusk, dawn and during the night, ambling in search of prey at a leisurely pace and avoiding contact with people and domestic animals.

Get along with others ...

Skunks coexist with foxes, raccoons and coyotes, groups of skunks often using the same burrows as these species, but at different times of the year.

Territory ...

Females occupy home ranges of 1-2sq km (0.4-0.8sq mi), each overlapping at least partially with other females. The territory of one male will encompass those of several females, but rarely that of other males.

Family life ...

Males have no role in raising young. In fact, aggressive behavior by adult males toward females and their young can result in deaths.

Self-defense: Skunks have two scent glands near the base of their tails. Each one is surrounded by muscle tissue that can contract to spray fine yellow droplets 15 feet or more. Besides the penetrating odor, it can cause temporary blindness and nausea. Even skunks themselves cannot stand the odor.

The name skunk is an adaptation of the Abenaki Indian (Algonquin) name, "segankw" or "segongw."

Skunk spray causes no real damage to its victims, but it sure makes them uncomfortable. It can linger for many days and defy attempts to remove it. As a defensive technique, the spray is very effective. Most skunks present otherwise easy prey for larger animals, but typically these predators give them a wide berth unless little other food is available.

importance - Valuable as a destroyer of vermin such as mice, and harmful insects and their larvae. Skunks are furbearers, with a market for its fur. Fur is considered to be 70% as durable as otter.

Answer 7

Skunks help pollinate plants and get rid of everyday pests, the only reason they stink is because it is a defense mechanism to tell predators to go away.

If you think skunks have no purpose what about humans?

Why are we here if we are causing harm?