Misunderstood

Misunderstood by Mundy Hackett
Misunderstood by Mundy Hackett

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 Species
  • John Davis

    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

    misschristina95, about 1 year ago

    That little guy is so adorable! :)

  • Patricia L. Ballard

    Patricia L. Ba..., about 1 year ago

    This has got to be the cutest animal alive.

  • Zeanana

    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

    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

    Brian Beckett, about 1 year ago

    Excellent lighting and composition Mundy well done!!

  • TrEaSuReDiMaGeS

    TrEaSuReDiMaGeS, about 1 year ago

    I ditto what John said!! Great photograph a fav for sure:-)

  • Graeme Pettit Photography

    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

    Deri Dority, about 1 year ago

    Such a cute one!! It looks like a ferret with stripes!

  • Maria Dryfhout

    Maria Dryfhout, about 1 year ago

    Cute little stinker! What a face…. what an awesome image!

  • ECGardner

    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.

  • daantjedubbledutch

    daantjedubbled..., about 1 year ago

    wow… and the rest has already been said…

  • Anita Donohoe

    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

    Roseann, about 1 year ago

    Awwww, what a cute little face. Nice shot!

  • Shelley Spillenaar

    Shelley Spille..., about 1 year ago

    Charley is the cutest thing !!!! wonderful capture !

  • trickyruby

    trickyruby, about 1 year ago

    fantastic capture, made me smile so much.

  • Hiroko

    Hiroko, about 1 year ago

    He’s just tooooo cute!!!

  • NorwegianAngel

    NorwegianAngel, about 1 year ago

    He is so cute! This is an excellent photograph!

  • Torfinn Johannessen

    Torfinn Johann..., about 1 year ago

    Great shot! Excellent colours, details, and DOF.

  • Nathan Dooley

    Nathan Dooley, about 1 year ago

    He’s just to cute.

    Great capture.

  • Naomi Mawson

    Naomi Mawson, about 1 year ago

    Awwww! That is too cute… I want one!

  • Donna Arrowood

    Donna Arrowood, about 1 year ago

    This is the most precious thing I have ever seen!

  • shanghaiwu

    shanghaiwu, about 1 year ago

    so here you are/your work is amazing/thanks for sharing your images

  • justjulie

    justjulie, about 1 year ago

    what beautiful young pup- those eyes are just magnificent- good job

  • Julie Langford

    Julie LangfordGreeter, about 1 year ago

    This has the WOW factor, the X factor and all other factors as mentioned above. Brilliant.

  • mick

    mick, about 1 year ago

    yeah this is a great image well captured.

  • AnnieG

    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

    Antoine Dagobert, about 1 year ago

    I echo all the comments above me…Excellent!

  • Helene Kippert

    Helene Kippert, about 1 year ago

    Wonderful shot!

  • Crokus Label

    Crokus Label, about 1 year ago

    What a beauty…. and your picture is wonderfully taken… It is a great shot.

  • Christopher  Ewing

    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

    KittenGirl, about 1 year ago

    this is one gorgeous critter – those eyes are just to die for – - well done

  • Cathleen Tarawhiti

    Cathleen Taraw..., about 1 year ago

    That’s bliming cute.

  • Melissa Vowell

    Melissa Vowell, about 1 year ago

    omg can I keep it

  • SabreToothFairy

    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

    RonniLeigh, about 1 year ago

    Yeahhhhhh for Missouri hehehe
    The little guy is a cutie I love this picture.

  • Lacy L.

    Lacy L., about 1 year ago

    beautiful creature

  • Michelle Shoosmith

    Michelle Shoos..., about 1 year ago

    Awesome capture I love your work!!!

  • berndt2

    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

    Tiffany Dryburgh, about 1 year ago

    Oh good lord have you ever seen a cuter face than this!!! I lurrrv this shot!

  • Heather Loster

    Heather Loster, 10 months ago

    skunks really are cute animals!
    great shot!

  • AllyL

    AllyL, 10 months ago

    Oh he is cute, isn’t he? I’m glad you rescued him.

  • Suni Pruett

    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

    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

    Tigeressly, 9 months ago

    Great capture, looks so cute! :-)

  • Colin Tobin

    Colin TobinGreeter, 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 Freundel

    Elizabeth Freu..., 8 months ago

    Hallo lil’ fella…! love the nose focus.

  • Anne-Marie Bokslag

    Anne-Marie Bok..., 2 months ago

    What a cute one Mundy. Great capture

  • WayoftheWarrior

    WayoftheWarrior, 2 months ago

    Never under estimate the small ones, awesome photograph.

  • Mundy Hackett

    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

    Scott Denny, 2 months ago

    Very timely snap. Great job. What a cutie!

  • JerryI

    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

    Jennifer Woodward, 2 months ago

    Very cute, and great shot! :-)

  • Michael Wolf

    Michael Wolf, 2 months ago

    Excellent shot! I have an adult who visits on its rounds, but I am keeping my distance!

  • bestfriends

    bestfriends, about 1 month ago

    ahhhhh that’s is so cute

  • Allison Lane

    Allison Lane, 17 days ago

    Awww, he’s very sweet

  • Asoka

    Asoka, 9 days ago

    A beautiful shot of a beautiful animal, AND I’ve been educated!

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