They along with vultures are my favorite animals. I like skunks because of the Pokémon Skuntank. Also they can spray a stinky fluid from their butt. I hear they are owned as pets in certain locations.

  • Sloan the Serval
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    611 months ago

    You can keep skunks as pets in a lot of places, but they have to be de-skunked (as in have the scent glands removed). They’re not the worst exotic pet out there (heck, I can think of a few non-exotics that can be more problematic) but they can get themselves into trouble pretty easily and it can be difficult to provide for their dietary needs. They’re also stubborn and have high enrichment requirements, and they don’t like being kept in a cage or other enclosed space even part time so you basically have to make your entire house skunk-proof. My opinion on exotic pets isn’t a hard yes or no, but rather “if you can provide the necessary care”. Skunks are one of the ones where it’s not that big of an if, but due to the dietary concerns they’re definitely not a pet for everyone. I’d put them on the same tier as some of the bigger parrots, large constrictors, large predatory freshwater fish (Arrowana) and fennecs in terms of care requirements.

    As for what I like about them, I love their huge, fluffy tails. I just wish the fandom didn’t always associate them with musk and fart fetishes, you almost never see a skunk 'sona that isn’t uncontrollably stinking up the place. IRL skunks don’t do that, they only spray if their defensive display dance doesn’t do the trick. And yet I have yet to see a breakdancing skunk fursona. To each their own, I just wish people would think of skunks as more than just a living chemical weapon.

    • @Tag365OP
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      311 months ago

      They call scent gland removal “de-scenting” if I remember correctly.

      • Sloan the Serval
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        111 months ago

        Eh, I think “de-skunking” sounds funnier.

  • @hoodlem@hoodlem.me
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    211 months ago

    I like Stunktank. It pleasantly surprised me with its defensive capabilities, including type matchups.

    Now for the actual skunks, no thanks. My dog got sprayed by skunks several time, and it’s repulsive. And really the only thing you can do is wait.