Wikipedia:Today's featured article/January 9, 2005

A pet skunk is a skunk kept by humans for companionship and enjoyment. Although capable of living indoors with humans similarly to dogs or cats, pet skunks are relatively rare, partly due to restrictive laws and the complexity of their care. Pet skunks are mainly kept in the United States, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands. In the United States, pet skunks can be purchased from licensed shelters or breeders with a permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Baby skunk availability peaks during springtime, immediately following the skunk mating season. Some large fur farms sell surplus skunks to pet stores. Most wild skunks only spray as a defense mechanism when injured or attacked. The mercaptan-emitting scent glands are usually removed in pet skunks at about four weeks of age. (more...)

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