SKUNK MAN.... This skunk performs a handstand as it is spotted walking on its forelegs performing the masterful pose. The Eastern Spotted Skunk was seen demonstrating its defensive mechanism of spraying while standing on its front legs in Central Minnesota, USA. Full-time Author, Naturalist and Wildlife Photographer Stan Tekiela said, "During the mid 1900’s the Eastern Spotted Skunk was one of the most common skunks in Eastern America. By the 1980’s after nearly “unlimited” trapping of the Eastern Spotted Skunk, it had been killed off in most of its range. Now they have become extremely rare or non-existent." "When I had an opportunity to see and capture some images of these tiny skunks, I jumped at the opportunity. A friend has this skunk living in a wild enclosure (NOT A PET) and offered to let me see it and see if I could capture some images. I visited many times before I could finally capture the images I wanted, showing it doing its defensive posture and handstand." "It’s hard to tell from these pictures but the Eastern Spotted Skunk is a very small critter but what they lack in size they make up for it in lots of personality. This skunk roots around finding insects, nuts, seeds, and berries to feed upon (omnivore). When it is startled or feels threatened it does a handstand as a warning, just before it sprays its foul smelling liquid. Their accuracy in spraying is amazing, hitting a target upwards of 10 feet away." "Not all skunks do handstands, most just turn around and point their business end towards the target before spraying. Most skunks give a fair warning before they spray." Please byline: Stan Tekiela/Solent News © Stan Tekiela/Solent News & Photo Agency UK +44 (0) 2380 458800 *** Local Caption *** 1. When were the photos taken? Sept 2018, May 2019 2. Where were they taken? Taken in Central Minnesota (Minnesota is a northern state in USA) 3. How did you capture the shots and were there any difficulties in doing so? During the mid 1900’s the Eastern Spotted Skunk was one of the most common skunks in Eastern America. By the 1980’s after nearly “unlimited” trapping of the Eastern Spotted Skunk, it had been killed off (extirpated) in most of its range. Now they have become extremely rare or non-existent. When I had an opportunity to see and capture some images of these tiny skunks, I jumped at the opportunity. A friend had this skunk and offered to let me see it and see if I could capture some images. I visited many times before I could finally capture the images I wanted, showing it doing its defensive posture and handstand. This is NOT a pet, but it is a captive animal. 4. What is your favourite thing about the shots, and why? It’s hard to tell from these pictures but the Eastern Spotted Skunk is a very small critter but what they lack in size they make up for it in lots of personality. This skunk roots around finding insects, nuts, seeds, berries to feed upon (omnivore). When it is startled or feels threatened it does a handstand as a warning, just before it sprays its foul smelling liquid. Their accuracy in spraying is amazing, hitting a target upwards of 10 feet (3 plus meters) away. 5. Do you know the type of Skunk it is? Eastern Spotted Skunk (Spilogale putorius) There are 10 species of skunk in North and South America. 6. Is there anything further you think we should know that would help us caption the images? Not all skunks do handstands, most just turn around and point their business end towards the target before spraying. Most skunks give a fair warning before they spray.