Stinky

With springish weather upon us, more and more we find ourselves outside, hauling the recycling out to the curb, walking around the block, picking up sticks and branches that fell during the winter.

And while we're out there, a certain pungent aroma might assail our nostrils. No, it's not the scent of spring onions in the field, nor is it time for the farmers to spread manure.  Politicians are still in charge of that.

It's the smell of skunks mating!

The Eastern striped skunk, or Mephitis mephitis, is about the size of a house cat, although they will refuse to snuggle up with you at nap time.

They like to live in the woods or in open fields, and they generally dislike condo living. They do need to live within at least 2 miles of a water source.
They are omnivores, meaning that either Wendy's or Nalley Fresh would suit them as they dine on insects, earthworms, snails, grains, nuts, fruits, reptiles, vegetation, amphibians, birds, eggs, carrion and garbage.

Mmmm garbage!

But this is mating season, and that means that male skunks are chasing females.  It's the same as with humans, except that we fool around every day from January 1 through December 31, with the exception of March Madness and the football playoffs. Striped skunks get busy from right now, late February, through early March, and then after a gestation period of 62-68 days, along comes Pepe, Jr, and Pepetta, and maybe four more skunk babies.

The problem is that, let's face it, all male skunks pretty much look alike. It's not like there are any Leonardo D. Caprio or Idris Elba-level skunk guys.

So they exude a musky scent, spraying the air with the Mephitis mephitis version of Drakkar Noir, for the same reason human males slather on the stink when they hit the bars.

If you see two skunks on a date, please do the cool thing and pick up the tab for whatever they're gnawing on! And in 62-68 days, maybe they'll name a kit after you!