Woman Saves Skunk With Jar on Head, Avoids Getting Sprayed

When Cheryl Rhodes spotted a skunk struggling with a glass jar stuck on its head, she had seconds to decide: let it suffocate or risk getting sprayed trying to help.

She chose rescue. In a video that's now warming hearts across social media, Rhodes chases down the distressed animal as it waddles away. "Oh gosh, please," she calls out, bending down to coax it closer.

The skunk, unable to breathe properly as carbon dioxide fills the jar, actually walks toward her. Rhodes reaches out carefully, grabs the jar, and lifts the little creature briefly into the air. "Please get it off. Please come on. Good boy!"

The jar pops free. Rhodes immediately yells to her husband, "Honey, I got it! He didn't spray me!" She bursts into tears of relief as the skunk scurries away unharmed.

Her husband had refused to help, having been sprayed before. He started recording without telling her, convinced she was about to learn a smelly lesson. Instead, he captured an act of pure compassion.

Skunks don't actually enjoy spraying, according to wildlife experts at ABC Humane Wildlife. They only carry about four tablespoons of their infamous fluid, and it takes days to replenish. That makes spraying a last resort they avoid when possible.

Before spraying, skunks try running away first. If cornered, they'll turn around, raise their tail as a warning, and stomp their front feet. Only when all else fails do they release the sulfur-based spray stored in glands near their anus.

This skunk seemed to understand Rhodes was helping. That trust moved thousands of commenters to tears.

Sunny's Take

One person adapted a famous quote for the occasion: "Saving one animal won't change the world, but for that one animal, the whole world will change forever." Another noticed the skunk walking toward Rhodes like it knew she could help, adding four smiling emojis.

The most touching wish came from someone who wrote: "I hope your pillow is always cool and you get all the green lights when you're running late."

Wildlife experts note that discarded jars and bottles pose serious dangers to small animals. Lizards crawl inside to bask in warmth and can't escape. Birds and mammals get heads stuck in openings. Simply replacing lids before throwing containers away prevents these traps.

Rhodes couldn't just walk away from an animal in trouble, even with the risk. Her compassion gave one lucky skunk a second chance at life.