07/23/2026
Before spraying its foul sulfurous chemical weapon at a threat, the spotted skunk executes a vertical handstand on its front paws to make itself look bigger. It can even walk forward on its hands while stomping its paws and hissing to intimidate predators.
If you ever see a skunk hitting a gymnast pose in the wild, you have about three seconds to get out of the way before disaster strikes.
These small creatures can be found across North and Central America. Western spotted skunks inhabit the region from southwestern Canada through the western United States down into Mexico. Meanwhile, eastern spotted skunks range across the central and southeastern United States.
Unlike their slow-moving striped cousins who frequent suburban yards, spotted skunks prefer dense forests, rocky bluffs, brushy thickets, and farmland where they can stay hidden.
Despite their tiny size, weighing only one to two pounds, these little animals pack a lot of surprising abilities.
They are the only skunk species capable of climbing trees, which they do easily to hunt or escape danger.
Interestingly, their chemical defense does not protect them from their main predator, the Great Horned Owl, which completely lacks a sense of smell and attacks silently from above.
When caught in live traps, biologists note that spotted skunks rarely panic. Instead, they prefer to gather up nearby leaves, build a cozy nest, and take a nap.
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