I mean, you could cuddle them, and brush then and feed them and they're just pretty cool. Oh, and if an intruder came inot your house it could get rid of them and the police would find them so easily... just use there noses :lol: . Why don't other people think skunks are cool?!?!?!?!?!?
Nondomesticated animals should not be pets.LJS9502_basic
I agree, they might be cute and fuzzy, but come on, to even own one you have to have them descented. And that costs a lot of money. Plus some skunks have a bad temper. You might as well just get a cat...
I've always been partial to hedgehogs as pets.DanielJG
Second that. I found one calling for help in the garden next door in 2005. It was extremely cute and seemed unbelievably tame for a wild creature. Once I found out that wild brown hedgehog's carry diseases such as ringworm, I thought it be best to powder it with a de-lice mix and let it go. Still, I want to get an African Pigme Hedgehog (I think that's the name). They are domesticated and don't carry such diseases.
whoa, image if the skunk got p'd off bcuz it could get through a door or something, i think you would wanna abandon your house, if it started spraying at random
[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]Nondomesticated animals should not be pets.Loonie
Domesticated animals were once non-domesticated. And it took a long time and breeding to get them domesticated. Your garden variety skunk will not be domesticated. :roll:
[QUOTE="Loonie"][QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]Nondomesticated animals should not be pets.LJS9502_basic
Domesticated animals were once non-domesticated. And it took a long time and breeding to get them domesticated. Your garden variety skunk will not be domesticated. :roll: but if we start now... :P
Skunks actually DO make great pets. It's possible to get their stink glands surgically removed, and then they are great pets. They're really very friendly.
[QUOTE="Loonie"][QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]Nondomesticated animals should not be pets.LJS9502_basic
Domesticated animals were once non-domesticated. And it took a long time and breeding to get them domesticated. Your garden variety skunk will not be domesticated. :roll: I'm not saying skunks should, its a stupid idea in my opinion and I'm sure the TC wasnt being serious. I just seen your post and had to point out the flaw in your logic.
I'm not saying skunks should, its a stupid idea in my opinion and I'm sure the TC wasnt being serious. I just seen your post and had to point out the flaw in your logic.Loonie
There was no flaw.......dogs and cats weren't domesticated overnight. Your logic was flawed.:wink:
[QUOTE="Loonie"][QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]Nondomesticated animals should not be pets.LJS9502_basic
Domesticated animals were once non-domesticated. And it took a long time and breeding to get them domesticated. Your garden variety skunk will not be domesticated. :roll:
I disagree with this. Animals were bred for thousands of years to result in specific traits, such as longer hair, HIGHER aggression, smaller size, etc etc. That's why with something like dogs, there is such a HUGE range of dogs that you can choose. But it's not that they're suitable pets because they're domesticated. It's just that there's more of a variety of dogs, so that more people can find the dog that is right for them. If one's taste tended towards wolves or foxes, it would be absolutely possible to get a wolf or fox, and have it be the perfect pet for you.
What about the animals that have not been selectively bred for thousands of years? What about gerbils? What about parrots? What about rats? What makes those animals unsuitable as pets?
[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="Loonie"][QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]Nondomesticated animals should not be pets.MrGeezer
Domesticated animals were once non-domesticated. And it took a long time and breeding to get them domesticated. Your garden variety skunk will not be domesticated. :roll:
I disagree with this. Animals were bred for thousands of years to result in specific traits, such as longer hair, HIGHER aggression, smaller size, etc etc. That's why with something like dogs, there is such a HUGE range of dogs that you can choose. But it's not that they're suitable pets because they're domesticated. It's just that there's more of a variety of dogs, so that more people can find the dog that is right for them. If one's taste tended towards wolves or foxes, it would be absolutely possible to get a wolf or fox, and have it be the perfect pet for you.
What about the animals that have not been selectively bred for thousands of years? What about gerbils? What about parrots? What about rats? What makes those animals unsuitable as pets?
You could disagree with it all you want....it would make you wrong. Do you think when animals were first being breed and domesticated they were concerned with making different breeds. Don't make me laugh.
[QUOTE="Loonie"]I'm not saying skunks should, its a stupid idea in my opinion and I'm sure the TC wasnt being serious. I just seen your post and had to point out the flaw in your logic.LJS9502_basic
There was no flaw.......dogs and cats weren't domesticated overnight. Your logic was flawed.:wink:
The flaw was you said non-domesticated animals shouldnt be pets. Regardless of timescale, domesticated animals were once wild animals.
[QUOTE="MrGeezer"][QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="Loonie"][QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]Nondomesticated animals should not be pets.LJS9502_basic
Domesticated animals were once non-domesticated. And it took a long time and breeding to get them domesticated. Your garden variety skunk will not be domesticated. :roll:
I disagree with this. Animals were bred for thousands of years to result in specific traits, such as longer hair, HIGHER aggression, smaller size, etc etc. That's why with something like dogs, there is such a HUGE range of dogs that you can choose. But it's not that they're suitable pets because they're domesticated. It's just that there's more of a variety of dogs, so that more people can find the dog that is right for them. If one's taste tended towards wolves or foxes, it would be absolutely possible to get a wolf or fox, and have it be the perfect pet for you.
What about the animals that have not been selectively bred for thousands of years? What about gerbils? What about parrots? What about rats? What makes those animals unsuitable as pets?
You could disagree with it all you want....it would make you wrong. Do you think when animals were first being breed and domesticated they were concerned with making different breeds. Don't make me laugh.
No, when they were first being domesticated, they were simply keeping the wild forms as pets. The reason why we have continued to keep those animals for thousands of years is because the wild forms WERE suitable pets.
And you haven't answered my question. Many pets currently popular in the pet trade have NOT been domesticated for thousands of years. What makes those animals less suitable as pets than animals which HAVE been domesticated for thousands of years?
[QUOTE="Loonie"]The flaw was you said non-domesticated animals shouldnt be pets. Regardless of timescale, domesticated animals were once wild animals.LJS9502_basic
No flaw....they were not pets until they had been domesticated.....do you not understand the difference between domesticated and non domesticated?
You make it sound like the animals domesticated themselves and then people started using them as pets. People took wild animals and domesticated them.
No, when they were first being domesticated, they were simply keeping the wild forms as pets. The reason why we have continued to keep those animals for thousands of years is because the wild forms WERE suitable pets.
MrGeezer
:lol: Incorrect yet again. Why aren't wolves and foxes pets......oh yeah....they are wild feral animals that are not domesticated.
Animals were not initially kept as pets but as working animals. They were kept seperate from the family and were not pets until later when they had become domesticated. Jeez.:roll:
[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="Loonie"]The flaw was you said non-domesticated animals shouldnt be pets. Regardless of timescale, domesticated animals were once wild animals.Loonie
No flaw....they were not pets until they had been domesticated.....do you not understand the difference between domesticated and non domesticated?
You make it sound like the animals domesticated themselves and then people started using them as pets. People took wild animals and domesticated them.
Yes but it took awhile and they didn't just open their home to them and let them play with their children.
I think they are cute, but I've never been skunked. This one time I opened the door to go outside and one was sitting there tail facing me and I slammed the door shut as fast as I could...LOL It was a close call... If it was de-funk-a-fied then yeah I'd get a pet skunk.
[QUOTE="MrGeezer"] No, when they were first being domesticated, they were simply keeping the wild forms as pets. The reason why we have continued to keep those animals for thousands of years is because the wild forms WERE suitable pets.
LJS9502_basic
:lol: Incorrect yet again. Why aren't wolves and foxes pets......oh yeah....they are wild feral animals that are not domesticated.
Animals were not initially kept as pets but as working animals. They were kept seperate from the family and were not pets until later when they had become domesticated. Jeez.:roll:
You're thinking about cows. Who keeps cows as pets now even though they are domesticated? I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on dogs but i assume the first pet dogs were wolves. It also depends on what definition of pet we are using. I would classify a hunting dog as a pet. if i was going to get a dog it would be this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czechoslovakian_Wolfdog and its a cross between a german shepherd and a wolf.
[QUOTE="TallicaFan2005"] If it was de-funk-a-fied then yeah I'd get a pet skunk. Where do you guys come up with some words :lol: is there a special dictionary or something :P
You're thinking about cows. Who keeps cows as pets now even though they are domesticated? I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on dogs but i assume the first pet dogs were wolves. It also depends on what definition of pet we are using. I would classify a hunting dog as a pet. if i was going to get a dog it would be this one:and its a cross between a german shepherd and a wolf.Loonie
I'm not thinking of cows...don't assume. I don't keep cows in my house.....nor would I let my child play with one....I don't know where you got that. Please read what I post if you wish to respond. Yes now, you could keep a hunting dog for a pet.....not at first. Dude seriously......
[QUOTE="double_decker"][QUOTE="TallicaFan2005"] If it was de-funk-a-fied then yeah I'd get a pet skunk. Where do you guys come up with some words :lol: is there a special dictionary or something :P Well.... Theres always the urban dictionary
[QUOTE="Loonie"]You're thinking about cows. Who keeps cows as pets now even though they are domesticated? I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on dogs but i assume the first pet dogs were wolves. It also depends on what definition of pet we are using. I would classify a hunting dog as a pet. if i was going to get a dog it would be this one:and its a cross between a german shepherd and a wolf.LJS9502_basic
I'm not thinking of cows...don't assume. I don't keep cows in my house.....nor would I let my child play with one....I don't know where you got that. Please read what I post if you wish to respond. Yes now, you could keep a hunting dog for a pet.....not at first. Dude seriously......
When you reffered to working animals who are kept outside of the house. I believe cows were one of the first animals to be domesticated as working animals.
[QUOTE="MrGeezer"] No, when they were first being domesticated, they were simply keeping the wild forms as pets. The reason why we have continued to keep those animals for thousands of years is because the wild forms WERE suitable pets.
LJS9502_basic
:lol: Incorrect yet again. Why aren't wolves and foxes pets......oh yeah....they are wild feral animals that are not domesticated.
Animals were not initially kept as pets but as working animals. They were kept seperate from the family and were not pets until later when they had become domesticated. Jeez.:roll:
First I think you need to learn what domesticated means.
You most certainly can tame wolves and foxes. Wolves in particular are pack animals. This alone makes taming them possible. All it requires is incorporating them into the same "pack" as you, and establishing yourself as the alpha wolf. People do CURRENTLY have pet wolves. So your whole question about why they aren't pets doesn't even make sense. They ARE pets.
And you still haven't answered my question. Is this going to be a repeat of every other discussion that I have with you, where all you do is call me stupid, and then refuse to answer any questions that I ask you?
 When you reffered to working animals who are kept outside of the house. I believe cows were one of the first animals to be domesticated as working animals.Loonie
Dogs have been used for hunting, catching rodents, herding, beer baiting, fighting etc. Now they are pets....then they weren't. You should study the history of pets before attempting a discussion. I said they were kept away from the family at first as they weren't domesticated......but hey, if you want cows in your home don't let me stop you.
[QUOTE="Loonie"][QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="Loonie"]The flaw was you said non-domesticated animals shouldnt be pets. Regardless of timescale, domesticated animals were once wild animals.LJS9502_basic
No flaw....they were not pets until they had been domesticated.....do you not understand the difference between domesticated and non domesticated?
You make it sound like the animals domesticated themselves and then people started using them as pets. People took wild animals and domesticated them.
Yes but it took awhile and they didn't just open their home to them and let them play with their children.
What you do is start with the babies. Common dogs can be just as feral as wolves, they simply usually aren't because they almost exclusively live their whole lives around people. Wolves do not.
But if you were to happen upon a pack of feral rottweilers, you're going to have a hard time capturing an adult and making it work for you. You would have to take thwe babies away when they are still very young, and raise the babies as your own.
[QUOTE="Loonie"]Well.... Theres always the urban dictionary double_decker
For some reason I don't want to click that link, I have a bad feeling about it... it won't make me dumber will it?:| Well GS glitched the link anyway. And no it will make you much much wiser.
[QUOTE="Loonie"] When you reffered to working animals who are kept outside of the house. I believe cows were one of the first animals to be domesticated as working animals.LJS9502_basic
Dogs have been used for hunting, catching rodents, herding, beer baiting, fighting etc. Now they are pets....then they weren't. You should study the history of pets before attempting a discussion. I said they were kept away from the family at first as they weren't domesticated......but hey, if you want cows in your home don't let me stop you.
Does it make you feel better to twist what I say? Because I do not recall saying cows would make good pets. When I said you were talking about cows it was in response to your comment about working animals. And I am pretty sure when dogs were used for hunting they were kept as pets, otherwise they would not view their master as the alpha male.
First I think you need to learn what domesticated means.
You most certainly can tame wolves and foxes. Wolves in particular are pack animals. This alone makes taming them possible. All it requires is incorporating them into the same "pack" as you, and establishing yourself as the alpha wolf. People do CURRENTLY have pet wolves. So your whole question about why they aren't pets doesn't even make sense. They ARE pets.
And you still haven't answered my question. Is this going to be a repeat of every other discussion that I have with you, where all you do is call me stupid, and then refuse to answer any questions that I ask you? MrGeezer
You never get it do you? I have yet to have any discussion with you where you understand what is being discussed. You make up your own conversation every time. Taming requires work.....you do know many breeds of dogs are descended from wolves....therefore, with work and breeding they can be domesticated. They can't however, be rounded up from the wild and put in your living room to play with your children. Period.Â
I don't answer vague questions that have nothing to do with the discussion at hand. You constantly try to change a discussion to suit you. I stick to the topic.....and I've never called anyone stupid on here. So don't try that crap either. You want to discuss certain animals....be specific.
It's obvious you don't understand the history of pets.Â
Does it make you feel better to twist what I say? Because I do not recall saying cows would make good pets. When I said you were talking about cows it was in response to your comment about working animals. And I am pretty sure when dogs were used for hunting they were kept as pets, otherwise they would not view their master as the alpha male.Loonie
I twisted nothing......you brought up cows....not I. No dogs were not kept as pets. Dogs were kept for working only.......then later they became pets. Why not study dogs instead of arguing against what they were used for? That would make more sense.
I once was camping and when I woke up and stepped out to take a piss, there was this HUGE skunk staring up at me. I ran back in that tent sooooo fast...
And let's keep in mind that the TC wasn't talking about getting a pet wolf or a pet cow. He was talking about getting a pet SKUNK.
It's one thing to say "you shouldn't get a pet skunk, because they're not domesticated." However, what are the QUALITIES of SKUNKS IN PARTICULAR that make them unsuitable as pets?
Not all animals are the same, so you can't make a blanket statement comparing skunks to every other animal. Some animals are a lot harder to domesticate than others.
Back to skunks, what makes skunks unsuitable?
And don't say "they're not domesticated", because he would be getting a baby skunk and domesticating it himself. So that's not even an issue.
[QUOTE="Loonie"]Does it make you feel better to twist what I say? Because I do not recall saying cows would make good pets. When I said you were talking about cows it was in response to your comment about working animals. And I am pretty sure when dogs were used for hunting they were kept as pets, otherwise they would not view their master as the alpha male.LJS9502_basic
I twisted nothing......you brought up cows....not I. No dogs were not kept as pets. Dogs were kept for working only.......then later they became pets. Why not study dogs instead of arguing against what they were used for? That would make more sense.
Are you claiming to be an expert of pets and the history of dogs then? If you are going to keep a hunting dog then by very nature it will be your pet because it will view itself as being in your "pack" with you at the lead. If it doesnt then it will not hunt with you. The most common working animal not kept as pets are cows.
[Are you claiming to be an expert of pets and the history of dogs then? If you are going to keep a hunting dog then by very nature it will be your pet because it will view itself as being in your "pack" with you at the lead. If it doesnt then it will not hunt with you. The most common working animal not kept as pets are cows.Loonie
Dude I'm done with this topic.....as I said read up on the history.  You're going in circles and until you understand the subject it's pointless to discuss it with you.
First I think you need to learn what domesticated means.
You most certainly can tame wolves and foxes. Wolves in particular are pack animals. This alone makes taming them possible. All it requires is incorporating them into the same "pack" as you, and establishing yourself as the alpha wolf. People do CURRENTLY have pet wolves. So your whole question about why they aren't pets doesn't even make sense. They ARE pets.
And you still haven't answered my question. Is this going to be a repeat of every other discussion that I have with you, where all you do is call me stupid, and then refuse to answer any questions that I ask you? LJS9502_basic
You never get it do you? I have yet to have any discussion with you where you understand what is being discussed. You make up your own conversation every time. Taming requires work.....you do know many breeds of dogs are descended from wolves....therefore, with work and breeding they can be domesticated. They can't however, be rounded up from the wild and put in your living room to play with your children. Period.
I don't answer vague questions that have nothing to do with the discussion at hand. You constantly try to change a discussion to suit you. I stick to the topic.....and I've never called anyone stupid on here. So don't try that crap either. You want to discuss certain animals....be specific.
It's obvious you don't understand the history of pets.
You do the same thing all the time. You categorically declare a question irrelevant just because you can't think of an answer that doesn't support your argument.
You're saying that he shouldn't get a skunk because nondomesticated animals should not be pets. I'm asking you what inherently makes undomesticated animals unsuitable as pets. That's damn sure relevant to the discussion. And just because you say it's not relevant doesn't make that the case.
Secondly, NO ANIMAL, including dogs and cats, starts out tame. ALL animals need work in order to become tame. That's why DOMESTIC dogs and cats revert to a feral state when placed in a wild environment. And people DO have pet wolves, those wolves being identical to the wild form. Yes, it takes work to domesticate wolves, just like it takes work to domesticate any other animal. If you think that's reason enough to not get the animal, then you ought to be against owning ANY pets.
But this thread is not about wolves, it is about skunks.
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