Skunks only have one effective way of defending themselves, although they do have a really good set of teeth and claws. Their cloud of noxious spray creates strong burning sensations in eyes, nose and mouth, and makes eyes tear up. Skunks are reluctant to use this weapon, as they carry just enough chemical for five or six sprays, requiring about ten days to produce another supply. Their predators include the cats, dogs and coyotes, owls, raccoons and humans. When feeling threatened and unable to run away, skunks will go through an elaborate routine of hisses, foot-stamping, and tail-high pattern of bluffing behaviour or threat postures before resorting to spraying . If the threat continues, the skunk squirts out its spray from two glands near the anus. The oily spray contains sulfur-based mercaptans that stink and sting. Each squirt is accurate at short range, but then the droplets spread around in air currents and can be effective in a wider area.
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