Misunderstood
This is a young (pup) Eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putoius). They are a fairly unknown species in the Eastern half of the United States. I study them and other carnivores in Missouri where I was getting my PHD. From 1940-1980 their population numbers throughout their range declined precipitously by 99% (conservative estimate). They are excellent tree climber like gray fox, they do have a smelly scent gland for defense like the better known striped skunk, but they only weight about 2-3 pounds so they are much smaller by half. Curious and highly intelligent, they are actually better mousers than cats. This was an abandoned one that we took in and raised for educational presentations. It’s affectionately called Charley “Squirt” Whiff!
Misunderstood belongs to the following groups:
Endangered SpeciesAvailable for sale as Cards

John Davis, about 1 year ago
man this has got to be the cutest thing I have ever seen, lol, great shot, love the title, the comp. is perfect as well as the lighting
misschristina95, about 1 year ago
That little guy is so adorable! :)
Patricia L. Ba..., about 1 year ago
This has got to be the cutest animal alive.
Zeanana, about 1 year ago
Yep, I totally agree with John Davis! And I absolutely love how you managed to capture his intelligence and curiousity! Mundy, great picture once again … :D
Zeanana, about 1 year ago
Yep, I totally agree with John Davis! And I absolutely love how you managed to capture his intelligence and curiousity! Mundy, great picture once again … :D
Brian Beckett, about 1 year ago
Excellent lighting and composition Mundy well done!!
TrEaSuReDiMaGeS, about 1 year ago
I ditto what John said!! Great photograph a fav for sure:-)
Graeme Pettit ..., about 1 year ago
A beautiful creature, well photographed. You have perfect depth of field for the subject, and the framing by the branch is just wonderful, and adds a lot of texture. An instant favourite.
Deri Dority, about 1 year ago
Such a cute one!! It looks like a ferret with stripes!
Maria Dryfhout, about 1 year ago
Cute little stinker! What a face…. what an awesome image!
ECGardner, about 1 year ago
He is a cutie! You can definitely see from this little guy that they are in the weasel family. It is harder to see that with the striped skunk. Great capture.
daantjedubbled..., about 1 year ago
wow… and the rest has already been said…
Anita Donohoe, about 1 year ago
What a beautiful photograph of this adorable little pup!
How lucky you were to be able to take him in. I have heard that baby skunks are as playful as kittens, and this one must have entertained you with a lot of mischief!
Roseann, about 1 year ago
Awwww, what a cute little face. Nice shot!
Shelley Spille..., about 1 year ago
Charley is the cutest thing !!!! wonderful capture !
trickyruby, about 1 year ago
fantastic capture, made me smile so much.
Hiroko, about 1 year ago
He’s just tooooo cute!!!
NorwegianAngel, about 1 year ago
He is so cute! This is an excellent photograph!
Torfinn Johann..., about 1 year ago
Great shot! Excellent colours, details, and DOF.
Nathan Dooley, about 1 year ago
He’s just to cute.
Great capture.
Naomi Mawson, about 1 year ago
Awwww! That is too cute… I want one!
Donna Arrowood, about 1 year ago
This is the most precious thing I have ever seen!
shanghaiwu, about 1 year ago
so here you are/your work is amazing/thanks for sharing your images
justjulie, about 1 year ago
what beautiful young pup- those eyes are just magnificent- good job
Julie Langford
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about 1 year ago
This has the WOW factor, the X factor and all other factors as mentioned above. Brilliant.
mick, about 1 year ago
yeah this is a great image well captured.
AnnieG, about 1 year ago
You never cease to amaze me. Not only is the detail spot on but the way the little one is framed is fantastic!
Antoine Dagobert, about 1 year ago
I echo all the comments above me…Excellent!
Helene Kippert, about 1 year ago
Wonderful shot!
Crokus Label, about 1 year ago
What a beauty…. and your picture is wonderfully taken… It is a great shot.
Christopher E..., about 1 year ago
i love the curiosity in it’s eyes, you captured that very very well, awesome focus and detail
KittenGirl, about 1 year ago
this is one gorgeous critter – those eyes are just to die for – - well done
Cathleen Taraw..., about 1 year ago
That’s bliming cute.
Melissa Vowell, about 1 year ago
omg can I keep it
SabreToothFairy, about 1 year ago
Love the focus and the composition and all that – but let’s face it: it would all be for nothing were it not for those big, wet eyes! :)
RonniLeigh, about 1 year ago
Yeahhhhhh for Missouri hehehe
The little guy is a cutie I love this picture.
Lacy L., about 1 year ago
beautiful creature
Michelle Shoos..., about 1 year ago
Awesome capture I love your work!!!
berndt2, about 1 year ago
Awwww!! That’s so cute!
The description is a little more sobering: 99% decline in numbers over forty years….
Tiffany Dryburgh, about 1 year ago
Oh good lord have you ever seen a cuter face than this!!! I lurrrv this shot!
Heather Loster, 10 months ago
skunks really are cute animals!
great shot!
AllyL, 10 months ago
Oh he is cute, isn’t he? I’m glad you rescued him.
Suni Pruett, 10 months ago
This little guy is sooooo cute. I dont know how I missed him. Such lovely little creatures…despite their ‘smelly’ reputation. If only people would take the time to understand animals and their nature instead of judging them out of fear…..we would all be a lot better off.
Gary Murison, 9 months ago
LOL, what a wonderful expression :) Very nice capture. Great detail and good use of depth of field. Best wishes
Tigeressly, 9 months ago
Great capture, looks so cute! :-)
Colin Tobin
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8 months ago
Such a beautiful little creature. So innocent and delicate looking. He’s wondering what the heck you’re up to.
Wonderful capture!
Elizabeth Freu..., 8 months ago
Hallo lil’ fella…! love the nose focus.
Anne-Marie Bok..., 2 months ago
What a cute one Mundy. Great capture
WayoftheWarrior, 2 months ago
Never under estimate the small ones, awesome photograph.
Mundy Hackett in reply to WayoftheWarrior’s comment, 2 months ago
Thank you Tony, they were so much fun to study for the past 5 years and have become my favorite noncat mamal of all!
Scott Denny, 2 months ago
Very timely snap. Great job. What a cutie!
JerryI, 2 months ago
I love skunks, what awesome little creatures. Your right Munday, they really don’t deserve their reputation. A calm presentation can get you quite far.
This shot is adorable. I’ve never had the pleasure of being around a little guy like this. Nice framing.
Jennifer Woodward, 2 months ago
Very cute, and great shot! :-)
Michael Wolf, 2 months ago
Excellent shot! I have an adult who visits on its rounds, but I am keeping my distance!
bestfriends, about 1 month ago
ahhhhh that’s is so cute
Allison Lane, 17 days ago
Awww, he’s very sweet
Asoka, 9 days ago
A beautiful shot of a beautiful animal, AND I’ve been educated!