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Alberta Campgrounds | Coming Across Skunks
While it is not very common for hikers or campers to encounter skunks while enjoying Alberta campgrounds. They are native to Alberta. And typically live within these campgrounds. No matter what part of the province of person travels to.
The reason why people typically will not see them often. Is because they are shy animals. That are nocturnal. And typically only come out at dusk. In order to do some foraging for their food.
Unless people are active at dusk, or are walking around Alberta campgrounds at night. They are not very likely to encounter this animal.
And while many people are frightened of skunks. This is largely due to their reputation. Although, it is their only defence mechanism. And if skunks do not have that, they are essentially harmless.
However, while humans should not be frightened of this animal. Other predators are because they are scared of getting sprayed.
It can be very unpleasant, causing the animal to suffer from skin their rotation, temporary blindness, nausea and even vomiting.
However, a skunk only sprays as its last line of defence. Because when they spray, they not only deplete their own energy. But until their body builds up more of the chemical that they spray. They are essentially defenceless. Therefore, skunks only spray in order to save their life.
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People should keep that in mind when they come across skunks. So that they can understand how important it is to give this animal lots of room. So that they can run away safely. Instead of feel like they are threatened and spray.
The first thing that people should do if they have encountered a skunk in Alberta campgrounds. Is simply stop moving. While skunks have exceptional hearing and smell power. Their eyesight is terrible. So by staying still, people can appear as nonthreatening as possible.
This will allow a skunk the opportunity to run away. And unless they are continuing to feel threatened, they will run away. Some hikers are known to carry a flashlight so they can flashlight ones at the skunk. In order to encourage it to run away.
However, if it does feel threatened by a person’s presence. Before they actually spray, they will engage in an elaborate routine of posturing. That are designed to frighten predators away.
What skunks will do is stamp their feet, position their tail threateningly, and start hissing in order to intimidate their potential predator.
When they start doing this, people should take the opportunity to try to quietly but quickly vacate the area.
One of the most important things that they do, is to backup instead of turning their back. So that they always know what the skunk is going to do. By keeping an eye on them.
By knowing what to do when encountering a skunk in Alberta campgrounds. Can help prepare campers and hikers alike. From coming out of this situation unscathed, and unscented.
Alberta Campgrounds | Coming Across Skunks
Many people may not know what to do when they come face-to-face with a skunk in Alberta campgrounds. And while this is not common. Because skunks are timid as well as nocturnal. There are several factors that can contribute to a skunk feeling threatened enough to spray a potential predator.
This could be because a person has left their dog off leash, and they were unable to recall that dog when they encountered a skunk. Dogs may not mean the skunk harm. But the skunk does not know this.
And if after their posturing techniques the dog does not back away. The skunk will spray them, and even the owner they are with.
Especially if the skunk is with their babies, they might get even more defensive than normal. And do what is necessary to protect their babies.
In fact, skunks can be so protective of their babies. That they will spray their nest in order to keep predators away from the area.
By knowing this, can help keep campers and hikers away from the area. If people are hiking in Alberta campgrounds. And start to smell skunks. They should leave.
Because this might mean that they are coming closer to a nest of babies. And that could mean that any skunks they encounter are quite aggressive.
If people do end up getting sprayed with skunk smell. It will be an oily secretion, that smells like sulphuric acid. It will cause skin irritation and even temporary blindness if they get it in their eyes. As well as watery eyes, runny noses, nausea and vomiting.
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After people get sprayed, or if their pet gets sprayed. They need to stay outside. Because the smell is so pungent, people can smell it five point 6 km away.
When that is concentrated in the confines of a house, tent or trailer. It can negatively affect the people in the surrounding area. Causing them to develop watery eyes, runny noses, nausea and start vomiting as well.
If people get sprayed in the eyes, the first line of defence would be spraying water in their eyes to get rid of is much oil as possible.
For the rest of their body and clothing however, any acidic liquid can break down the oil that the spray is made out of. While tomato juice was often used several years ago. It was an effective treatment because it broke down the oil because of the acid in the tomatoes.
However, nowadays people can use a mixture of 3% hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. However with this solution, people need to wince it from their clothes quickly and their skin and their pets for. Because it can have a bleaching effect.
Also with the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda mixture. People need to be very careful not to get it in their eyes. Or the eyes of their pet. This can hurt, as well as cause more damage.
By knowing how to encounter a skunk. As well as what to do if they have been sprayed by one. Can help hikers and campers go to Alberta campgrounds more prepared.
By packing something acidic like hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, or vinegar. So that if they are unlucky enough to encounter a skunk and get sprayed. They can neutralize the oil quickly.