Mephitology (SKUNKS) with Dr. Jerry Dragoo
It’s here. SKUNKS. My dream guest, Dr. Jerry Dragoo of the Institute for the Betterment of Skunks and Skunk Reputations is finally on Ologies, and I can barely contain myself. Come to Albuquerque to meet this Mephitological legend. In this very special and precious 2-part series, we’ll explore tiny baby skunks, spotted ones, cartoon skunks, skunk spray remedies, skunks and astronauts, how to get sprayed by a skunk, how not to get sprayed, what skunk spray tastes like, how much it costs to purchase, how their populations are doing, skunks vs. snakes, who eats skunks, island skunks, rehabbing skunks, pet skunks, actress skunks, mating trivia, and so much more. Also: the nipples you never want to meet.
Listen via Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. Ad-free episodes available by subscribing to SiriusXM Podcasts+. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
Check out the Dragoo Institute for the Betterment of Skunks and Skunk Reputations
A donation went to Friends of Big Bear Valley
“We Meet At Last” skunk shirt by jbstink.com
Links to things we discussed:
Video: Badgers vs Skunks
Video: PBS’s 2009 “Is That Skunk?” program with Dr. Jerry Dragoo
The Answer: How We Got the Spray Shot
Dr. Dragoo’s paper on stink badgers: Systematics of Mustelid-Like Carnivores
Understanding the Eastern Spotted Skunk is a Step Toward Conserving It
Island Spotted Skunk: Spilogale gracilis amphiala
Spilogale putorius: Eastern Spotted Skunk
Other episodes you may enjoy:
Zoohoplology (ANIMAL DEFENSES)
Discard Anthropology (GARBAGE)
Indigenous Fashionology (NATIVE CLOTHING)
Literary Olfactology (THE POLITICS OF SMELL)
Disgustology (REPULSION TO GROSS STUFF)
Ologies info:
400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic
Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes
Transcripts and bleeped episodes
Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month
OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes!
Follow Ologies on Instagram and Bluesky
Follow Alie Ward on Instagram and TikTok
Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee
Managing Director: Susan Hale
Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth
Transcripts by Aveline Malek
Website by Kelly R. Dwyer
Theme song by Nick Thorburn