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skunk

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
name for several related New World mammals of the weasel family, characterized by their conspicuous black and white markings and use of a strong, highly offensive odor for defense. The scent glands of skunks produce an oily, yellowish liquid, which the animal squirts with great force from vents under the tail; this produces a fine mist which, in addition to stinking, causes choking and tearing of the eyes. Skunks do not make use of this weapon unless severely provoked and then only after raising the tail in a warning display. Most animals quickly learn to recognize and avoid skunks, which are consequently quite fearless and move about openly. The two common skunks of the United States, the striped skunk and the spotted skunk, are nocturnal animals; their diets include rodents, insects, eggs, carrion, and vegetable matter. They live, often several individuals or families together, in dens made in abandoned burrows or buildings or in rock piles. Most familiar is the striped skunk, …
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Full text Article SKUNK

From Gaither's Dictionary of Scientific Quotations
American organic chemist Many thanks for the sending me the book “Biology of the Striped Skunk”…. Frankly, I doubt whether I shall read it or not, unless I happen to have some intimate contact with a skunk which may induce me to learn more about him. In D. S. Tarbell ; A. Tarbell Roger Adams, …
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Full text Article skunk

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
name for several related New World mammals of the weasel family, characterized by their conspicuous black and white markings and use of a strong, highly offensive odor for defense. The scent glands of skunks produce an oily, yellowish liquid, which the animal squirts with great force from vents…
| 412 words
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Full text Article skunk

From Britannica Concise Encyclopedia
Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis). Credit:E.R....
Any of several black-and-white New World species in the carnivore family Mephitidae that eject an odoriferous liquid (as far as 12 ft [3.7 m]) when threatened. The liquid becomes a fine mist that causes tearing of the eyes and choking. Some scent-gland secretions are used in perfume. Species vary in…
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Full text Article skunk

From The American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language
skunk striped skunk Mephitis mephitis Getty Images...
a. Any of several small omnivorous mammals of the Americas belonging to the family Mephitidae, having a bushy tail and black fur with white markings and ejecting a foul-smelling oily liquid from glands near the anus when threatened. Also called polecat . b. The glossy black and white fur of any of…
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Full text Article skunk

From The Oxford Companion to Food
an animal notorious for the horrible smell which it can emit, exists in a number of species, of which Mephitis mephitis , the striped skunk, is the best known. This animal has a range in N. America from Canada down to N. Mexico. Head and body length may be 45 cm (18") and weight up to 5 kg (11 lb). …
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Full text Article skunk work

From The New Penguin Business Dictionary
A term describing a covert research project undertaken within an industrial organization. Technology-intensive companies recognize that if they are to attract and retain the best scientists they have to offer scientific freedom . Moreover, experience has shown that scientists will undertake covertly…
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Full text Article skunk

From The Macquarie Dictionary
either of two small American mammals of the genus Mephitis, of the weasel family, Mustelidae, especially the striped skunk, M. mephitis, which ejects a fetid fluid when attacked. Plural: skunks the fur of the skunk, used in garments. Plural: skunks any of various allied or similar animals, as a…
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Full text Article Skunks

From Black's Veterinary Dictionary
Skunks belong to the Mustelidae, and the species usually housed in captivity is the common striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis). They are kept as pets in the USA and are increasing in the UK. They are OMNIVOROUS , eating prey, insects, fruit and vegetables. They are not very popular as they become less…
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Full text Article Skunks and Stink Badgers

From Princeton Encyclopedia of Mammals
Black-and-white markings are common to all...
The pungent aroma of skunk musk irritates even the least sensitive of human noses, but for the animals themselves it is the smell of safety. Skunks are one of the few groups of mammals that rely on chemicals to defend themselves. Skunks' black-and-white fur patterns have a similar function to the…
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Full text Article Weasel and Skunk Families

From Princeton Encyclopedia of Mammals
Weasel and Skunk Families
Mustelids and mephitids are closely allied; indeed, some taxonomists still consider the mephitids – the skunk family – as a mustelid subfamily. Although between them the two families make up the largest carnivore grouping and have successfully spread over five continents, much remains to be learned…
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