By Russell Miller
The aroma of the skunk (a member of the weasel family) can be detected by the human nose as far away as one mile. A skunk is capable of accurately spraying its musk at a target 12 feet away. Their opportunistic diet includes eggs, insects, grain, decaying animal flesh, and produce. The only known enemy of the skunk is the great horned owl, which can swoop down and kill a skunk before it has a chance to react.
ODDLY ENOUGH … The skunk is the only mammal known to intentionally hunt and eat bees. They have been observed standing on their hind legs to agitate hives — for the sole purpose of driving the bees out so they can eat them.
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On Aug. 19, 1980, Saudia Flight 163 took off from Riyadh International Airport with 287 passengers and 14 crew members aboard. Seven minutes into the flight the crew received on-board smoke warnings. The captain immediately decided to return to the airport. Less than three minutes after a completely successful touchdown, the aircraft came to a stop and the engines were shut down. When the ground personnel opened the aircraft, they found everyone inside, dead.
Oddly Enough … The crew were found still strapped into their flight station seats. All the passengers were found in the front half of the fuselage. Three minutes after this shocking discovery, Flight 163 burst into flames.
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Russell Miller is an illustrator, cartoonist, writer, bagpiper, motorcycle enthusiast, and reference librarian. Currently, he illustrates books for Cody Lundin and Bart King.
