It may be surprising to learn that skunks make excellent pets.
Truly! In addition to the black and white variety we're familiar
with, there are also many different colored patterns including the albino,
spotted, brownish black, multi-striped, and even lavender. Of all
these, only the hooded striped skunk seems to get along well with people.
North America seems to have been blessed for it is the only place on earth
where skunks are found in nature. They like staying in corners,
and if you decide to raise one as a pet, teach him which corner is his.
;) Domesticated skunks have been known to live as long as 20 years
and more.
Skunks usually have one litter per year, and can have ten babies, called "kittens". Female skunks are able to carry fertilized eggs up to a year if her environment isn't just right for her to have the litter. From the moment the eyes of the new born open, they are capable of spraying, and that spray can reach 12 to 15 feet with great aim. At 20 weeks, the new kitten is capable of living and thriving on its own and, in the wild, can live 10 years. Its natural enemy is the great horned owl, who favors it as a great delicacy.
Skunk as a totem animal is a fascinating creature, and seems to be about extremes..black and white with very little allowance for shades of grey. One message of skunk is all about POWER. He gives respect, and he surely knows how to demand it in return. He is self-assured, confident, calm, never hurried, and won't change his path for anyone. He is peaceful by nature and, when threatened, will give several warnings before he "strikes".
Skunk medicine may have made you independent and self-reliant at a very young age. While this is admirable, don't wave that independence like a banner. We are social creatures, and need interaction with others in order to nurture our spirits and our hearts. You are strong, but that very strength can isolate you if you're not careful.
If you have skunk medicine, you may have social difficulties. People either love you...or can't stand you. You either attract others, or they are repelled by you. Your challenge with skunk medicine is to learn the balance that determines how people will react to you, and how they will remember you. You have control over this. No one else. Be careful that your confidence and self-esteem don't come off as arrogance, and that you're not considered hard-headed, stubborn and set in your ways. Learn to be adaptable, flexible and build self-esteem in others. This will earn you the respect you deserve. Your naturally slow and easy-going pace may come off as laziness, so be mindful of this.
With skunk as your totem, you may have some type of physical imbalance in your eyes. Perhaps one eye is more dominant than the other, or your vision is impaired in some way. You may very well be near-sighted. As balance for this visual shortcoming, you have been gifted with an exceptional sense of smell. You would probably be outstanding as an aromatherapist, perfumer, chemist, or other profession which requires a highly developed ability to smell to a finite degree. You may not be consciously aware of it, but you are skilled in using smells for sexual arousal as well. You have learned how to set a mood, or destroy one, by the use of odors, aromas and smells.
With skunk medicine, know that you will be noticed by others. It is not wise to brag, or boast about yourself or your accomplishments, but rather to be discreetly silent and let people discover how great you are on their own. This is, again, the balance of attracting or repelling others for being prideful will surely push others away. Skunk is all about strength and power, and the wisdom of using your gifts with care.
WARNING: All writings
for Animal Walk are protected by both copyright and registered ISBN No.
1-888059-25-7. No part may be
duplicated or reproduced in any form without express
permission.
Skunk photo courtesy of Stinky's Place
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