Frankfort, KY (February 17, 2004) - Kentuckians driving down a country lane on a warm, rainy night in February may be suddenly accosted by a feeling of nausea brought on by an intense, hideous smell. Hardly any motorist can escape it this time of year.

It is a smell known since childhood emitted by an animal that conjures up dread and at the other end of the spectrum, has inspired a lovelorn cartoon character. It is the pungent smell of a striped skunk. And in late winter, it seems skunks are here, there and everywhere. Wonder why? In layman’s terms – it’s the peak of the mating season in the Bluegrass. Whew!

"Skunks start stirring about this time of year as the days get longer and temperatures rise," said Brian Smith, non-game coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR). "They are looking for mates and reestablishing territories."

Male skunks may travel four or five miles a night during their breeding season from late February into early March.

"Their wandering at night is why you see and smell so many skunks along our highways," Smith explained. "They cross highways and get hit by vehicles."

Skunks are fearless and won’t back down when endangered, especially during their breeding season. This is another reason they are so often struck by vehicles at this time of the year. They don’t fear the oncoming vehicle. They aren’t much worried about dogs either, which is why Rover is more likely to bring his fresh, long-lasting new aroma home with him this time of year than any other.

"For the most part, skunks are a nocturnal animal, but you may see them in the morning and evening," Smith explained, "and even during the day sometimes at this time of the year."

There are two types of skunks in Kentucky: the striped skunk, which is distributed statewide, and the spotted skunk, a rarer skunk of eastern and southeastern Kentucky. Striped skunks are the great majority of skunks in Kentucky. Skunks are members of the weasel family.

Skunks arouse a great deal of fear and dread in human beings. They are peaceful creatures that display little fear of enemies and challenge humans only when threatened by them. Their first act of defense is to stamp their front feet and raise their tail. They also growl and hiss.

A skunk often walks a short distance on its front feet and raises its tail as a warning that a strong stink is coming your way if you don’t leave. If they still feel threatened, they will emit an amber colored, oily fluid from two glands located at the base of the tail. They can direct the stream of fluid, which is emitted as a fine spray, for up to 10 feet with good accuracy and up to 20 feet with less accuracy.

Tomato juice, vinegar, diluted chlorine bleach or ammonia will remove the skunk smell, but they may not be as effective as neutroleum alpha, a commercial deodorant available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It may be purchased by writing, U.S.D.A.-APHIS-Animal Damage Control, 3231 Ruckriegel Parkway, Louisville, KY, 40299.

The best way to deal with skunks is to leave them alone. Be vigilant during the next few weeks while driving at night to avoid hitting a skunk on the road.

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