Nebraskaland

54 Nebraskaland • January-February 2023 THE LAST STOP When I began using a camera trap to capture imagery of mountain lions and other nocturnal species years ago, one creature of the night became a frequent photo subject. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is not active during daylight, but it certainly gets around after the sun goes down. At first, the many skunk photos were treasured. I was excited to capture imagery of any wildlife, and to get photos of skunks without a face-to-rear encounter was a bonus. However, the excitement wore off. Now, I delete a lot more skunk photos than I keep. That said, one image stood out to me when reviewing a set of photos from last January. Similar to models on the catwalk (or should it be skunkwalk?), these three attractive characters appeared to be strutting for the camera. A little acc idental lens flare even alludes, albeit falsely, to the familiar musky odor from the skunks' rear. I was once again reminded of the species' beauty. Beauty? Skunks? You bet. There is historical financial evidence to back up the notion. In the early 20th century, skunk attained status of the most prominent fur on the market. The species was amply available to trappers, and a little creative advertising helped make it desirable. Marketed as "Alaskan sable" or "American sable," the attractive fur with its long, glossy guard hairs found its way to the formal wardrobes of countless unknowing women. In 1919, the Burlington Free Press newspaper of Vermont had this: "According to a correspondent of the New York Post, writing from Albany, the prices of 'Alaskan sable' skins have become so attractive that dogs must forthwith cease to bother the little animals that produce this valuable fur. You would not recognize a skunk skin under this euphonious name which rolls mellifluously from the tongue as 'Alaskan sable.'" In the 1950s, popularity plummeted. The Fur Products Labeling Act of 1951 required that apparel must be labeled, advertised and invoiced with the actual English name of the animal from which the fur is taken. Apparently, no matter how striking the apparel may be, not many consumers want to be associated with the animal most known for its repugnant odor. Today, skunks can be harvested year-round, and a good pelt sells for about $4. The spec ies, re g a rd l e s s o f repute, continues to thrive. Omnivorous opportunists that are not picky about what they eat, the skunks' range spans throughout most of North America. The woodland creatures have become well adapted to farms, suburban areas and small towns, and they are largely considered pests. Solitary animals most of the year, some skunks gather in a communal den in the winter to stay warm — usually a few females with perhaps a male. Males are most active during the mating period of mid- February to mid-March. In true Pepé Le Pew fashion, a male travels up to 5 miles per night in search of females. Consequently, this is when you are likely to see — and smell — the most "dead skunks in the middle of the road," made famous in the old Loudon Wainwright song. Maybe the three skunks in my photo are den mates just venturing out for dinner. Or, perhaps they are a group of supermodels looking for their big break. Whatever the case, I'm glad they made their way down my camera's "runway." Fashionable characters, indeed. By Justin Haag SKUNKWALK

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