The Urban Pantheist

I can't seem to bring myself to write anything about the conference.  I spent all day cramming stuff into my head, that trying to unpack it at you tires me out just thinking about it.  I'm learning a fair amount of interesting stuff, and as I expected, I really enjoy being surrounded by people who are into the same thing as me.  I do feel a little inadequate, like they can see my lack of a science degree, and I'm not being as social as I expected.  But I did end up speaking up and asking some clarifying questions and got into a couple good conversations.  Did you know there are skunks on Martha's Vineyard?  I spoke to a researcher who tagged and radio-collared a bunch of them to study them.  Boy did she smell. 

Kidding!  No one made any smell jokes!  After a 20 minute presentation about catching and tagging skunks and whatnot!  Apparently that island was connected to the mainland, so they have pretty much everything else that the rest of Massachusetts has.  I also learned that a 1996 law that outlawed body gripping and leg-hold traps is responsible for the massive amount of human/beaver conflict in the State lately.  That presentation made me want to buy a fur coat, or maybe a nice beaver top hat.  The best presentation so far was a late addition to replace a cancellation; a British researcher studying badger control tested the efficacy of ultrasonic repellent devices.  He concluded that not only don't the devices repel badgers, but when one badger tripped one of the motion detectors (buried bowls of peanuts were the bait), all the badgers in the area came running.  The local badger quickly came to hear the things as dinner bells.  Also, it doesn't hurt to be a dry witty Englishman when you are giving a powerpoint presentation, just for future reference.

I can't believe I have two more days of this.

I'm guiltily enjoying the unstructured time afterward.  Now I'm sitting in a cafe in Northhampton, using the free wifi.  I'm kind of loving the Pioneer Valley, where I grew up and was desperate to leave.  I actually considered moving here a decade or so ago, but they haven't fixed their little snow problem out here.  In fact they actually get more snow than Boston most of the time.  But it's perfectly wonderful in June--not that it feels much like June.  I like western Massachusetts better than where I'm really from in Connecticut.  Even when I lived here, in order to do anything fun we would always head due north and come to Springfield, Northhampton or Amherst.  Going south to Hartford or elsewhere in Connecticut never really crossed our minds.  Now driving around I see the many small farms and farmstands, and the small town centers, and think it looks a lot like where I'd like to live some day.

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

photo by cottonmanifesto

Urban Species #090: Striped Skunk Mephitis mephitis

Opinions seem to be polarized on the subject of skunks. Many people admire them, as beautiful (or at least cute) mammals that thrive in urban environments. Many others are revolted or frightened by them. Their name can be used as a modifier meaning "bad-smelling," or directed with bile as an insult. The captive skunk on exhibit where I work is most often greeted with "Pee-yoo!" even though his anal glands have been removed, and he smells better than most cats.

The skunk's defensive weapon is so singular, so effective, that it defines the animal and is reflected in its behavior. There are several species of skunk; all are boldly black and white. The coloration is a warning label that alerts predators to try elsewhere. Skunks are slow and deliberate, almost nonchalant, as they go about their business. They need not skulk or cower, at least not in the city. A sniff or a stamp is usually enough to deter more persistent or dimwitted predators, except for the occasional idiot dog. In the wilderness they are more cautious, necessarily wary for predators that are desperate, or, like the great horned owl, bereft of the sense of smell.

The skunk found in most North American cities is the striped skunk--a bit of an indistinct name, as their pattern varies from individual to individual. Different striped skunks can be anywhere from nearly black to nearly white, but they consistently have a stripe between their eyes. The other three skunk species are spotted or striped black and white to varying degrees as well. Striped skunks are among the least particular skunks in terms of diet. Small animals from insect larvae to poisonous snakes are their favored food, but they happily eat fallen fruit and various seeds, and carrion. Suburbanites are sometimes vexed by holes in their lawns, caused by skunks digging to get at grubs. In the winter many skunks survive on the spilled seed at birdfeeders. Roadkill is a major food source for urban skunks, and feeding upon it is a major cause of death for skunks. A skunk confronted with a car may sniff and stamp, or even spray, but the car always wins. Most urban people become familiar with the odor of a skunk after one dies in the road.

I have encountered skunks in Boston numerous times. I have never been sprayed, despite the best efforts of my dogs to induce attacks. In my experience, skunks are reluctant to use their nuclear option, but there are plenty of others whose tomato soup baths are part of a different story.

( three minute skunk foraging video )