There are reasons to be worried about skunks. Getting sprayed is not one of them.
Thing is, the musk glands that produce that noxious odor only have a very small amount stored up. And it can take several hours to several days to rebuild that reserve. ANd until it does, the skunk is largely defenseless.
Which means that a skunk typically wont' spray unless truly threatened. A spraying is typically presaged by a series of threat displays. Sort of the "Dude, did you miss the big black and white stripes? Back off or you're gonna get sprayed." So if you see a skunk doing a handstand... back slowly away, and you'll be fine.
The more real concern with skuns is that, as small carnivores, they're pretty likely to carry diseases, especially rabies. Since skunks normally avoid people, seeing some on a campus may be indicative of such issues. Rabies isn't always like "Old Yeller" - more often the symptoms are more subtle. SO there is cause for concern - jsut not sprayings. Msot people who get sprayed tend to have it coming.
And worst-case on the spraying front - yes, tomato juice does work.
no subject
Thing is, the musk glands that produce that noxious odor only have a very small amount stored up. And it can take several hours to several days to rebuild that reserve. ANd until it does, the skunk is largely defenseless.
Which means that a skunk typically wont' spray unless truly threatened. A spraying is typically presaged by a series of threat displays. Sort of the "Dude, did you miss the big black and white stripes? Back off or you're gonna get sprayed." So if you see a skunk doing a handstand... back slowly away, and you'll be fine.
The more real concern with skuns is that, as small carnivores, they're pretty likely to carry diseases, especially rabies. Since skunks normally avoid people, seeing some on a campus may be indicative of such issues. Rabies isn't always like "Old Yeller" - more often the symptoms are more subtle. SO there is cause for concern - jsut not sprayings. Msot people who get sprayed tend to have it coming.
And worst-case on the spraying front - yes, tomato juice does work.