What comes to mind when you think of skunks? For many people, the first thing that comes to mind is the smell. Skunks are known for their ability to spray a smelly liquid. But there is more to these animals than just their smell.

Did you know that skunks are members of the ____1____ family? That’s right, these creatures are related to ferrets, _____2_____, and even badgers! Skunks are also proficient swimmers and climbers, which makes them very difficult to catch.

One of the most interesting facts about skunks is their ability to spray a foul-smelling liquid as a form of self-_____3_____. This liquid is produced by two _____4_____ located near the skunk’s _____5_____. When threatened, the skunk will turn its rear end towards the aggressor and release a stream of stinky liquid up to _____6_____ feet away! The smell of this spray can be so powerful that it has been known to make people vomit.

Skunks are _____7_____ animals, which means they are most active at night. During the day, they like to sleep in dens or burrows that they have dug themselves. When winter comes, skunks will often _____8_____ in their dens to stay warm.

Skunks usually mate in _____9_____. After a gestation period of about two months, the female skunk will give birth to a litter of four to six baby skunks. These babies are born _____10_____ and _____11______, but they grow quickly and are weaned after just a few weeks.

Now that you know some fun facts about skunks, be sure to keep your distance if you ever encounter one in the wild!