Skunks, who are notoriously known for their rather fowl spray emitted when afraid, try to warn their assailants through dance. They will stomp, whisk their tail, jump around, and do handstands, all in an attempt to scare them away.
Does spraying have a significant metabolic cost to the skunk? So that they'd much rather deter the other creature and only spray as a last resort?
Edit: Question answered from one of the links - it takes about a week for a skunk to replenish its scent glands, during which time its without its defence. Hence the reluctance to use it unless absolutely necessary.
Titus____Pullo on May 18th, 2018 at 04:19 UTC »
Wow, this makes my dogs seem even dumber for continually getting sprayed.
TheNeutralParty on May 18th, 2018 at 04:50 UTC »
https://m.imgur.com/r/gifs/PHjV2mm
Looks similar to this
Madeline_Basset on May 18th, 2018 at 07:29 UTC »
Does spraying have a significant metabolic cost to the skunk? So that they'd much rather deter the other creature and only spray as a last resort?
Edit: Question answered from one of the links - it takes about a week for a skunk to replenish its scent glands, during which time its without its defence. Hence the reluctance to use it unless absolutely necessary.