FERGIE THE SKUNK GETS A LICENSE TO SMELL.Byline: CAROL ROCK Staff Writer NEWHALL - Ferguson the Skunk skunk, name for several related New World mammals of the weasel family, characterized by their conspicuous black and white markings and use of a strong, highly offensive odor for defense. , a resident of the Placerita Canyon Nature Center for the last year, is finally a certified Californian, having passed a battery of screenings and tests just in time for the center's open house on Saturday. He came to the center last spring, after a Texas family moving to Santa Clarita gave him to a wildlife rescue group. In Texas, skunks are legal pets; in California, they are not. ``He was a little black ball of fur when they got him,'' said Ian Swift, superintendent of the center, as he cuddled the black-and-white striped animal. ``But skunks have the highest rate of rabies among all the wild animals WILD ANIMALS. Animals in a state of nature; animals ferae naturae. Vide Animals; Ferae naturae. . ``People have to remember that they are wild animals and react that way, unlike dogs or cats, which are bred over thousands of years to become domesticated do·mes·ti·cate tr.v. do·mes·ti·cat·ed, do·mes·ti·cat·ing, do·mes·ti·cates 1. To cause to feel comfortable at home; make domestic. 2. To adopt or make fit for domestic use or life. 3. a. and somewhat goofy.'' Swift said that Ferguson's new role as spokesanimal for wildlife preservation will help reinforce the state's position of respecting wild animals. ``They have long claws and they dig and dig and dig,'' he continued, splaying Ferguson's feet wide with his fingertip fin·ger·tip n. The extreme end or tip of a finger. . ``They could wreak havoc on a yard.'' The skunk has been checked over for any problems and has had his scent glands removed, Swift said. When he's not putting on a show, Ferguson has a comfortable shaded enclosure with a fleece blanket, water pan, a cinder cin·der n. 1. a. A burned or partly burned substance, such as coal, that is not reduced to ashes but is incapable of further combustion. b. A partly charred substance that can burn further but without flame. block on which to sharpen his nails and a ``behavioral enrichment'' box filled with sawdust and sand so he can dig up crickets and mealworms, just like he would do in the wild. In the meantime Adv. 1. in the meantime - during the intervening time; "meanwhile I will not think about the problem"; "meantime he was attentive to his other interests"; "in the meantime the police were notified" meantime, meanwhile , the young skunk enjoys a diet of kibble kibble baked dough that is crushed or cracked. Prepared usually by extruding and then heating-drying the dough. Used as dry food for dogs and cats. , lettuce, bananas, mealworms, carrots, apples and bugs. Along with Ferguson, several other celebrity residents of the center will be on display, including OJ, the center's 22-year-old horned owl and a 12-foot-long Burmese python. The open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and also features panning for ``gold,'' nature art, rubber ducky races and other family activities. Admission to the open house is free. The Placerita Nature Center is located at 19152 Placerita Canyon Road. Off-site parking is available with a shuttle to the park. For information, call (661) 259-7721. carol.rock(at)dailynews.com (661) 257-5252 |
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