What does seeing a skunk represent?
Conclusion. Skunk symbolism has a lot to do with danger, fear, warning, and alertness. A skunk may be reminding you to become aware of your environment so you can protect yourself from harm. Skunks are solitary creatures and skunk medicine can help you become more independent and self-reliant.
Occasional skunk sightings in a neighborhood are not a cause for alarm. Because skunks are generally easy-going, they will not intentionally bother people. In fact, skunks may benefit humans by eating many insects and rodents many regard as pests.
Skunk Omens and Their Meanings
However, in many cultures, the skunk is actually seen as a positive omen. In some cultures, the skunk is seen as an omen of death. In other cultures, the skunk is seen as a symbol of good fortune. In some Native American tribes, the skunk is seen as a sign of rain.
What Attracts Skunks. Skunks can be attracted to a yard or a house by certain items that might be in the yard or near the house. As stated before, bird seed and sunflower seeds are two main attractors of skunks. Pet food, garbage, grills and lumber can also attract skunks, as can openings under houses, decks or sheds.
Citrus, ammonia, mothballs and predator urine (dog, coyote, etc) are three smells that can scare off skunks. If you use mothballs or ammonia-soaked cotton balls, be sure to keep them far away from children.
If you happen across one, you may be wondering if they will chase you or not? Skunks are relatively docile and harmless animals who tend to mind their own business as long as they remain undisturbed. Generally, a healthy skunk will not chase you as skunks tend to avoid humans or animals that are larger than them.
It was also considered bad luck in native American lore to encounter a skunk in one's path, and some tribes associated skunks with evil sorcery. However, many native American tribes located in the southeast region of America, such as Muscogee Creek, revered skunks for their readiness to defend themselves.
Back away from the skunk very slowly and steadily. Don't turn your back, make sudden movements, raise your arms, or run. Instead, try to put about 10 feet between yourself and the skunk, but don't rush.
Skunks might come out during the day if there is a food source available at a particular time, if they have been frightened out of their daytime sleeping spot, or if there is high competition in the area at night from other nocturnal animals. Baby skunks are also commonly seen outside during the day.
No, skunks do not always spray when they feel threatened. They typically show warning signs first, like raising their tail, stomping their feet, and hissing or charging if their striped appearance isn't warning enough. They only spray if these initial warnings are ineffective.
What scents are skunks attracted to?
Although skunks are known to eat opportunistically, they are most attracted to oily, meat-based baits like fish and chicken. They have a strong sense of smell, so anything particularly smelly works best - even peanut butter has been proven to lure in skunks.
They are most active at night, but will sometimes venture out in the daylight hours in search of food or to find a mate. Skunks do not hibernate, although they do stay within their dens during colder temperatures. Other than during mating season, they spend most of their time alone.
Yell, clap your hands, bang pots and pans together, stomp, or even use an air horn to scare skunks away.
It will not kill you or your pets, but a direct hit to the eyes has been known to cause temporary blindness. The spray can cause nausea and vomiting, as well as watery eyes and itching. If you are the unfortunate recipient of being sprayed by a skunk, here are some remedies to get rid of skunk smell.
Skunks fear humans and other large predators, but they're not afraid to use their favorite defensive weapon. They're not aggressive animals, but they can spray a victim from 10 to 15 feet away to protect themselves or their young.
Pet skunks are often bred and raised by humans. They often bond with people and get along well in domestic situations. They are used to living in homes and therefore, do a good job of adapting. You should never take a wild skunk and attempt to make it a domestic animal.
Skunk Encounters and Omens
Some Native American tribes believe that crossing paths with a skunk portend bad fortune. Some celts believed that the sighting of skunks in a courtyard was a sign of a blissful new relationship.
The Aniwye is a giant skunk creature deity of Native American Mythology in North American cultures, usually told in Ojibwe, Algonquin, and Cree Native American folklore.
Back away from the skunk very slowly and steadily. Don't turn your back, make sudden movements, raise your arms, or run. Instead, try to put about 10 feet between yourself and the skunk, but don't rush.
Skunks can be attracted to a yard or a house by certain items that might be in the yard or near the house. As stated before, bird seed and sunflower seeds are two main attractors of skunks. Pet food, garbage, grills and lumber can also attract skunks, as can openings under houses, decks or sheds.