A skunk is a black-and-white mammal about the size of a house cat, famous for its powerful defense mechanism: spraying a terrible-smelling liquid at threats. When a skunk feels cornered or scared, it can shoot this oily spray up to ten feet with remarkable accuracy, aiming for the face of whatever is threatening it. The smell is so strong and long-lasting that it can make people feel sick, and it's incredibly difficult to wash off. Dogs that chase skunks often learn this lesson the hard way.

Skunks are nocturnal animals that waddle around at night eating insects, grubs, and small rodents, making them helpful to farmers and gardeners. Before spraying, a skunk usually gives warning signs: it stamps its feet, raises its tail, and does a little handstand. Smart animals recognize these warnings and back away quickly.

The skunk's bold black-and-white coloring serves as nature's warning label, telling other animals to stay away. This distinctive pattern is so effective that several harmless animals have evolved similar markings to trick predators into leaving them alone.