Arizona skunk shows off perfect handstand in the desert

A skunk has been caught on film showing off its gymnastics skills in the US, doing a perfect handstand for the camera.

The spotted skunk was filmed in the bizarre position at the Saguaro National Park in Arizona by the National Park Service.

The US Interior Department of Design posted the video to Instagram yesterday where it has already amassed more than 24,000 likes.

The department said the handstand manoeuvre is a defence mechanism employed by many spotted skunks.

“Before spraying, spotted skunks will sometimes go into a handstand and attempt to intimidate any would be aggressors,” the department explained.