Why do skunks spray?

Answer: Skunks spray as a last-resort defense to drive off predators that keep approaching.

Skunks spray to attract mates with a scent that signals they are ready to breed. — Wrong. A skunk's spray is far too harsh to serve as a mating signal, and it repels animals rather than drawing them closer. Skunks do use much milder scents when attracting mates, but those are not the defensive spray from the anal glands. The lingering odor, nausea, and eye irritation would work against courtship.

Skunks spray as a last-resort defense to drive off predators that keep approaching. ✓ — Correct! A skunk's spray is a defense it uses only when a threat will not back off. The skunk usually stomps, raises its tail, and hisses first; if the threat keeps coming, it sprays from its anal glands. The sulfur-containing thiols are extremely pungent and can temporarily blind or nauseate a predator, and most predators learn to avoid skunks after one experience. Because the skunk has only a limited supply and needs time to replenish it, spraying is saved for serious danger.

Skunks spray to clean their fur by coating it with an oily, protective layer. — Wrong. The spray is an oily, foul-smelling substance that other animals try to avoid, so it does not clean the fur. Skunks groom themselves by licking and combing their fur like other mammals. Spraying is reserved for threats and would leave the fur smelling strongly rather than cleaner.