Stinky Skunk

The Sims 2: Pets
Skunks can come and wander around a residential lot sometimes. A Sim can either 'pet', 'watch', or 'chase off' the skunk. The skunk will usually leave if chased off, but may become annoyed and spray. The skunk may initially tolerate being watched by a Sim or followed by a pet, but will eventually become annoyed and spray. According to the Prima guide for Pets, a werewolf has a better-than-even chance of being able to pet a skunk without being sprayed, but other Sims only have a 5 percent chance of not being sprayed.

The skunk will threaten before spraying, so a Sim or pet that is watching or following it may decide to move on, though that will not always keep them from being sprayed. Genius pets and pets who have been sprayed before are more likely to recognize that the skunk is preparing to spray, as are Sims with high logic.

When a Sim or pet is sprayed, his or her hygiene meter will drop to zero. The comfort and fun meters will also drop slightly, but it may pass unnoticed unless the player is looking at the meters.

The Sims 3: Pets
The leaked trailer for The Sims 3: Pets suggests that skunks will return in that expansion pack. However, it turns out there are no skunks in released version of The Sims 3: Pets whatsoever.

Trivia

 * The skunk's name is always Stinky Skunk.
 * Sims may have a fear of getting sprayed, or that a pet they own or know will get sprayed.
 * Servos and PlantSims can be sprayed with no ill effects (unless the Sim has a fear of being sprayed).
 * If moveobjects is used, it can be seen that Stinky Skunk is actually a cat with a stripe down the middle.
 * Skunks are also featured in The Sims Castaway Stories.