Did you watch the whole video on PBS? I didn't think it was still available.
Here are the answers to your questions:
1. Where were skunks first found?
The genetic lineage of skunks can be traced back about 40 million years ago. One of the oldest recognized skunks from around 12 million years ago was found in Germany. Today, skunks can be found in the Americas from Canada to Argentina. The stink badgers (in the skunk family) are found in Borneo, Sumatra, the Philippines, and surrounding areas.
2. Do skunks have different smells?
Skunks have different chemical components in their spray. Bill Wood (also on the video), a chemist at Humboldt State University says they do have different smells. They all smell like rose petals to me :)
3. How did you start to like skunks? Why do you like them now?
I was interested in small animals that could take care of themselves against larger predators. Skunks used to be in the weasel family, which contains wolverines, otters, and of course weasels. My advisor asked if I wanted to do a study on skunks because of my interest in the Mustelidae (weasel family). Not exactly the animal I was thinking of. While doing some research I got sprayed by a skunk and have been working with them ever since. I even helped to reclassify them and put them into their own family, the Mephitidae (skunk family).
4. When did you see your first skunk?
I saw my first live one on a class field trip in college.
5. How many skunks do you have now?
Currently, I do not have any skunks. All the ones I have been taking care of have been released back into the wild.
6. Do you ever take in and take care of dad skunks?
Yes, often I get calls to relocate an animal. I take in both genders. I don’t hold the adults very long. I just like to make sure they have a couple of good meals and are healthy before I release them.
7. Do you think skunks make good pets?
What makes a good pet is a good pet caretaker. You should learn a lot about any animal you decide to take in as a pet.
8. What do you do each day to take care of your skunks?
I make sure they have food and fresh water twice a day. I also make sure they have a clean place to sleep. I try not to interact with them much as my goal is to release them into the wild. I want them to still be wary of people. I do have game cameras set up in their enclosures, so I can make sure everyone is acting normally.
I hope you find these answers useful in your research!
Jerry
___________________________________________________ Jerry W. Dragoo, Ph.D. Mephitologist Dragoo Institute for the Betterment of Skunks and Skunk Reputations [email protected] http://Dragoo.org "Dragoo is no longer the center of their universe." - F. Murray Abraham, 2009