Defense Mechanisms
The striped polecat is an aggressive and very territorial animal. It marks its territory with its feces and through the anal emission of fumes. These fumes serve as a defense against predators, in a similar manner as employed by skunks. The emissions, released by anal stink glands, temporarily blind their adversaries and irritate the mucous membranes resulting in an intense burning sensation. Before spraying the opponent with this noxious fluid, the striped polecat will often take a deimatic (threat) stance with its back arched, rear end facing the opponent, and tail straight up in the air.
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Famous quotes containing the word defense:
“Though a censure lies against those who are poor and proud, yet is Pride sooner to be forgiven in a poor person than in a rich one; since in the latter it is insult and arrogance; in the former, it may be a defense against temptations to dishonesty; and, if manifested on proper occasions, may indicate a natural bravery of mind, which the frowns of fortune cannot depress.”
—Samuel Richardson (1689–1761)