Skunk Scare
We were sniffing skunk around the neighborhood in late Summer but we didn't see any. Then one morning in early Fall (you know what’s coming) I looked out the back window and saw the biggest skunk munching on our lawn. We watched as it meandered along under the bird feeders, at the edge of the hibiscus bushes, and through the dappled willow hedge on its way to our neighbor's yard. Then we lost sight of it.
The skunk didn’t show up again and we haven't been aware of its odor lately but the image is emblazoned in our memories. I had never seen one so large before nor one with just one large, white stripe down its back. I found out it is a particular species of skunk known as Conepatus leuconotus ( a white-backed hog-nosed skunk) that tends to inhabit Eastern Texas more than anywhere else.
I found out that skunks tend to be solitary except in breeding season, which has me wondering if there is a skunk family somewhere about. They often inhabit places where other animals have dug in the earth and we found some evidence of digging near our house.
It would be an understatement to say I am nervous about the situation. I try to remind myself that all creatures need a place to live. I wish it no harm but if it is lost, I admit that wouldn't mind it finding its way back to its natural habitat.
General facts about skunks: http://mentalfloss.com/article/63307/10-pungent-facts-about-skunks
Specific facts about white-tailed hog nosed skunks:
Groundhog Haven
We have a backyard visitor – a groundhog. We have been trying to find its burrow but so far every time we catch sight of it, the critter takes off and ducks under our neighbors’ deck. Maybe that's its home though we have seen evidence of digging in the dirt near our front door.
I think it is probably a male because females usually have several babies that stay with her for a while and I haven't seen any little ones around. This single one is a regular by our bird feeders, eating its fill through the remaining warm days. When the weather turns cold it will hunker in its burrow, slow its heart rate and hibernate until the spring, living off its fat reserves. But until then, this seems to be the particular groundhog's haven.
The groundhog is a member of the squirrel family, though that connection is somewhat surprising because it is more of a solitary being than a social one like the squirrel; it certainly has a lot of squirrel family members in my backyard. I guess we all need the comfort of connection when we want it and the space to be on our own when we need it.
Want to know more about groundhogs?
http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/groundhogs-explained.html
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/groundhog/
Editor's Note: And, of course, no article on groundhogs could ignore the Bill Murray movie, Groundhog Day!
Here is IMBD's Trivia article on the movie, well worth reading. We may have a Groundhog Day viewing at our house next year.After this year, we could use a good laugh ... repeatedly.
According to the trivia, the film is ranked #8 on the American Film Institute's list of the 10 greatest films in the genre "Fantasy" in June 2008.
©2016 Ferida Wolff for SeniorWomen.com
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