Skunk in my Front Yard, Toronto, Canada

Skunk in my front yard, Toronto, Canada. He’s pretty young. Photo 5 by Don Tai

Skunks live in my neighbourhood, Toronto, Canada, though are not a common sight. We usually smell them first. Mostly blind, if they come close, just freeze and wait until they walk away. There’s really nothing to fear from skunks.

Due to their natural aroma, skunks have no natural enemies. They wander around at will, eating insects and plants, minding their own business. There is really no reason to kill one.

Skunks are related to the Chinese civet cat, which is actually a skunk without scent glands. This civet cat, bred in Guangdong, China, was ground zero for the Sars virus.

Skunk in my front yard, Toronto, Canada. He’s pretty young. Photo 1 by Don Tai

Skunk in my front yard, Toronto, Canada. He’s pretty young. Photo 2 by Don Tai

Skunk in my front yard, Toronto, Canada. He’s pretty young. Photo 3 by Don Tai

Skunk in my front yard, Toronto, Canada. He’s pretty young. Photo 4 by Don Tai

Skunk in my front yard, Toronto, Canada. He’s pretty young. Photo 5 by Don Tai

Skunk in my front yard, Toronto, Canada. He’s pretty young. Photo 6 by Don Tai

Skunk in my front yard, Toronto, Canada. He’s pretty young. Photo 7 by Don Tai