[ID: A photograph of a southern spotted skunk, looking out towards the camera from between a small gap. It has black fur covered in wiggly, thick white stripes, with a white spot in the middle of its face between its round black eyes. End ID.]

Observation by pavellperez on iNaturalist

alright this is killing me with how cute it was so I was obligated to share it with you all. Please look at this adorable little face. Oh my gods.

The first-known written description of a skunk by a Jesuit missionary in 1634 is my very favorite thing. 

The other is a low animal, about the size of a little dog or cat. I mention it here, not on account of its excellence, but to make of it a symbol of sin. I have seen three or four of them. It has black fur, quite beautiful and shining; and has upon its back two perfectly white stripes, which join near the neck and tail, making an oval which adds greatly to their grace. The tail is bushy and well furnished with hair, like the tail of a Fox; it carries it curled back like that of a Squirrel. It is more white than black; and, at the first glance, you would say, especially when it walks, that it ought to be called Jupiter’s little dog. But it is so stinking, and casts so foul an odor, that it is unworthy of being called the dog of Pluto. No sewer ever smelled so bad. I would not have believed it if I had not smelled it myself. Your heart almost fails you when you approach the animal; two have been killed in our court, and several days afterward there was such a dreadful odor throughout our house that we could not endure it. I believe the sin smelled by Saint Catherine de Sienne must have had the same vile odor.