3:00 snapshot, #29.

[urbpan]

The plastic container has two small holes in it. The skunk rolls it around to release kibbles from it.

Comments

[queenofstuff.livejournal.com]

Somehow I find the thought of Skunk Enrichment very funny.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

I guess I can see why--and yet they need it more than most of the animals I take care of.

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

awww, so cute :)

oh, btw, know anything about russian tortoises? rescues? they're SO cute.

#

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

I don't know anything too specific. Not a species I've worked with. What do you need to know?

[wirrrn.livejournal.com]

Skunks are keen. Have you been sprayed yet, or is this one mellow?!

[aemiis-zoo.livejournal.com]

I suspect that the skunk is descented. All of the skunks I have worked with have been.

[wirrrn.livejournal.com]

Poor thing! It must feel only half a skunk...

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

What she said. When it comes to captive skunks, we don't leave anything to chance. :)

[wirrrn.livejournal.com]

Hey,

Poor things. I'm sure they wouldn't blast you if you were very, very gentle around them *g*

btw- dispatched your Aussie goods today. Thanks for PROPHECY!

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Awesome! That didn't take too long.

I wonder if you sent Musk flavored life savers...

[wirrrn.livejournal.com]

Hey,

No food items, alas. West Australian Customs is known as the most stringent and savvy in the world for a reason. How do you think we kept Cane Toads out of here for this long?! 8g*

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

I REALLY want to pick that skunk up and cuddle it. It's probably a very good thing I'm not anywhere near one. I suspect it wouldn't end well.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

The worst outcomes would be muscle strain (he's overweight) or a bite, if he's eating. Scent glands have been removed.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

I knew pet skunks were descented; somehow I didn't think yours would be. It makes sense though, when he has to be close to people every day.

[by-steph.livejournal.com]

I do the same enrichment for my cat. I drilled 8 holes in a plastic Pounce treat container that I fill with kibble. She has to roll it around to get food out. My cat is four times dumber than your skunk.

pantheism in the UK

[(Anonymous)]

Great to see someone else recording the 'stuff' that they live alongside.

Henry

http://lifeonanoxfordlawn.blogspot.com/

Re: pantheism in the UK

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

That's wonderful! I love it. I got started as a naturalist by trying to identify all the plant species in my back yard (and then all the animals I encountered in the city, and then...)

This snapshot project is a way to keep blogging every day while I recover from last year's 365 urban species project.

great minds think alike

[(Anonymous)]

Pleased to make your acquaintance also Jef.
I enjoyed the ivy posting.
I've added a link to your excellent blog from Life On An Oxfordshire Lawn.

regards

Henry

[wandererrob.livejournal.com]

This reminds me of one day while interning at New England Wildlife Center when we had a baby skunk in for a short stay. One day while trying to move him, very carefully, he got spooked and let loose.

They used to tinker with dud bombs in our building (or at least the building they had back in 1998). It had 3-foot thick walls and triple windows that couldn't be opened. It was a rough afternoon in the clinic that day. LOL!!

Ah, the memories :)

[photobscura.livejournal.com]

is that your pet?

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

no, it's one of the animals I take care of at work.

[photobscura.livejournal.com]

it seems a little risky taking care of a skunk, like it can just go off.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

You'd think so, huh? Fortunately we have their scent glands removed before working with them.

[bunrab.livejournal.com]

It's truly amazing how much "enrichment" for wildlife has to do with Tupperware/Rubbermaid, isn't it? I mean, who knew orang-utans depended so much on Tupperware bowls for their happiness?

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

You want non-porous (cleanable), unbreakable (when they break it it isn't sharp or small enough to swallow), and inert (so that when they do swallow it, it doesn't poison them). Thank goodness for plastic!

[the-icequeen.livejournal.com]

I've always been curious, when you touch a skunks nose, does it feel like a cats nose?
I love the shape of their noses.

Weird, I know. I want to know what the big cats noses feel like as well.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

I guess it probably would. I wouldn't trust our skunks not to bite me, if I touched their nose, and then it would be curtains for them (the state would make us kill them and have them tested for rabies)>