Is a skunk a marsupial?

No, skunks are placental mammals and have a gestation period of about sixty six days.

Although marsupials and placental animals are both mammals, there are several distinguishing features that differentiate the two groups.

The biggest difference between marsupials and placentals lies in the possession a placenta, the oxygen- and nutrient-rich organ that attaches growing embryos of placental mammals to their mothers.

Marsupials, on the other hand, have no internal placenta and must therefore absorb nutrients from the yolk of their ovum; however, once the young are born, they spend a much longer time suckling than do placental young. Essentially, marsupials spend far more time nurturing and nursing their young after they are born than placentals, mammals that invest more time and energy in pregnancy.

Skunks get a bad rap, but there's amazing chemistry and crazy behavior behind the animal kingdom's smelly outcast. Check out these 10 pungent facts about skunks shared by Mentalfloss.com.

Tags: skunkmammal 
Wednesday, July 19 2017
Source: http://animal-world.com/newsfeed/skunks-pets-or-pests/