By: Jennifer Arellano

INTRODUCTION

Hmm, I wonder what that smell is? Oh, it’s the skunk. I’m really excited that you decided to come learn about the striped skunk. They're small animal that produces a foul smell. This is the way that they protect themselves from predators. They understand that their smell isn’t pleasant, which is why they give plenty of warning signs. If you’d like to learn more about the striped skunk go ahead and scroll down.

WHO AM I?

I am the striped skunk. If I have a hunch that I’m about to be attacked I shoot out liquid that can be felt five meters away. This liquid has the ability to create nausea, burning of the eyes, and temporary blindness, not to mention a smell that is almost impossible to wash away. I don’t spray things for fun, it only happens when I fear for my life. If something wants to attack me, I make sure to first give them a fair warning.

WHERE DO I LIVE?

Have you ever seen me wondering around your backyard? Well, if you have, that’s because I live here, in Arizona. There is no getting away from me because you’ll find me in southern parts of Canada, most of the United States, and the northern part of Mexico. If you ever want to see me, well, consider yourself lucky because I’m in the Sonoran Desert!

WHAT DO I EAT?

I love all kids of food, you see, I’m an omnivore which simply means I eat plants and meat. I like berries, fruit, nuts, grass, leaves, grasshoppers, fish, bugs, rats, eggs, frogs, and snakes. I like to eat small animals; I definitely would not want to eat something that’s bigger than me for the fear that it might eat me instead of the other way around. I also like to go through human trash cans and find leftovers that still smell delicious. Another thing about me is that you won’t find me any further than two miles from water.

HOW DO I LOOK?

Think of your cat, and if you don’t have a cat then simply picture a cat. That’s approximately how big I am. I’m black and have a white line between my eyes. I also have two long lines that run from the top of my head to my tail on the upper sides of my body. I have a long furry tail, sometimes the whiteness from my back runs into my black tail creating a gray coloring.

HOW DO I REPRODUCE?

Female and male skunks will never be seen together except early spring during mating season. Baby skunks are called kits and are born blind, death, and will stay with the mother for about six weeks before they begin to venture on by themselves.

FUN FACT ABOUT ME

In October I begin to collect as much food as possible in order to have enough for the winter. Female Striped Skunks find other female skunks and go into hibernation together along with their young. Male striped skunks will once in a while be seen outside during the winter.

ACTIVITY

K-First- With the help of your teacher, create a small story including three facts that you learned about the Stripped Skunk. Write it as if you were the Stripped Skunk. Now you get to create a puppet! Take it home and make a puppet show for your parents. Share your story that you created in class, and don’t forget to use your puppet.

Second- Third- You are now a reporter! Create a small news report including three facts that you have just learned about the Stripped Skunk. Write it as if you were the Stripped Skunk. Now you get to create a puppet! Take it home and make it a puppet show. Share your story that you created in class, and don’t forget to use your puppet.

Instructions on creating the Stripped Skunk puppet

http://www.ehow.com/how_12105667_skunk-craft-preschoolers.html