Which skunk species performs a handstand before spraying?

The skunk species that performs a handstand before spraying is the spotted skunk.

When threatened, a spotted skunk may rise onto its forefeet, point its raised tail toward the attacker, and wave it as a warning. This striking posture can precede the release of a powerful, accurately aimed defensive spray from paired glands near the anus. The display gives a predator a chance to retreat before the skunk uses its chemical defense.

Spotted skunks are smaller and more agile than the familiar striped skunk. Their warning behavior is therefore one of the easiest ways to distinguish them in wildlife footage and folklore. They can also stamp their front feet, raise the tail, and hiss before spraying.

The handstand is not the spray itself and is not a courtship behavior. It is a defensive signal. A spotted skunk can aim its spray at targets several meters away, and its odor-producing oil takes time to replenish after repeated use.