Comment by underlipton

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anal_gland

Skunks use their anal scent glands as a defensive weapon, yes, and it's thought that this is their primary use. However, until recently, it was also thought that skunks didn't scent mark at all. It turns out that they do, through body-rubbing, like cats. It stands to reason then that we might also be wrong about the functions of their anal glands, and that (as with most carnivores) they serve some sort of less-extreme communication function in addition to the last-resort defense. But threat displays are also part of a human's communication system, yes.

In any case, there are differing accounts as to whether removal affects the animal, and also whether it's even necessary to prevent spray incidents.

https://publish.illinois.edu/maxallen/files/2021/04/Jackson-...

https://www.reddit.com/r/Skunks/comments/fyxdsk/hello_i_have...