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Mephitis mephitis
Five young skunks live in this area, probably littermates. I haven't seen their mother yet. These critters are weaned, but they're still small and haven't dispersed yet. Most are the usual black with white stripes but one (not in these photos) is mostly white with black stripes. They come out at dusk to forage and dig in the dirt for bugs. They're unbelievably cute! They're also much less shy than I would have expected. On the three nights I've observed them, they let me get very close and mostly ignored me (I kept quiet and didn't make any sudden movements). A few times, one of them would get curious enough to waddle right up to me and sniff my shoe!
Grassy field and bushes behind a building on Main Street.
I love skunks! :)
Spotted on Jul 1, 2013
Submitted on Jul 2, 2013
3 Comments
I was using my telephoto lens, but I really didn't need to. I couldn't believe how unconcerned they were! (They aren't rabid or anything, no worries.). They didn't like it if I approached them to quickly or directly, especially if I looked straight at them. I was very patient and still, and they would wander within a few feet of me. They knew I was there, but I guess after I'd watched them so long they realized I was no threat. They're still young, so maybe caution hasn't caught up to curiosity yet. In any case, I was super thankful for such an amazing animal encounter :)
wow, how did you get so close?
These are so cute Mandy!!! Here we have a lot and some people have them as pets. Nice series =)