[14] This oily, yellow-colored musk consists of a mixture of powerfully odorous thiols (sulfur analogues of alcohols, in older sources called "mercaptans"), which can be sprayed at a distance of several meters. Young striped skunks reach sexual maturity at about 10 months. Moving a skunk in a box trap is easy if you cover the trap with a dark blanket so the animal can't see you. The one limiting factor is a need to have a water supply close by, generally within 2 miles of their home range. Appearance: Short, stocky build. Damaged building foundations and spaces underneath porches serve this purpose well. (218) 788-2694 Striped skunks at the Smithsonian's National Zoo consume a diet consisting primarily of leafy greens, vegetables and insects. Mephitis memphitis has proven highly adaptable. Dogs, foxes, coyotes and bobcats take an occasional skunk, but the skunks potent musk warns off most predators. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is the most common skunk in Texas and North America. After spraying, the striped skunk will take the opportunity to run away from the intruder, which will be more interested in dealing with the spray than with the skunk. They will hunt with the mother for the first time around 7 weeks and weaning occurs at 8 weeks. Photo by Smithsonian Wild. Scientific Name: Mephitis mephitis. [10], The striped skunk may dig its own dens, though it will appropriate those abandoned by other animals should the opportunity present itself. A threatened striped skunk will try to run away from a perceived predator. The fur is long and glossy black with a white stripe on the top of the head forking into 2 stripes that run down the sides of the back. [13], The striped skunk is a stoutly-built, short-limbed animal with a small, conical head and a long, heavily furred tail. Barton, H. D., and S. M. Wisely. Females give birth in May, often in woodchuck burrows, to an average litter of six. A single male may have a harem of several females, which he mates with and defends against other males for a period of about 35 days. [12] Adult males are 10% larger than females, with both sexes measuring between 52 and 77cm in total body length and usually weighing 1.84.5kg (4.09.9lb), though some may weigh 5.5kg (12lb). Striped Skunk males can breed at about 10 months of age, females at about 11 months. . Spotted skunks are more carnivorous than striped skunks, primarily feeding on small mammals, insects, eggs, and even carrion. In winter it is common for a single den to be occupied by multiple females and a single male. [13] It can be sprayed at a distance of several meters. Striped skunks have an easily identifiable coloration: two thick white stripes along the back and tail sharply contrast an otherwise black coat. They may be active even during cold weather, especially during the breeding season. Skunk dens have 1-5 well-hidden entrances, and end in 1-3 rooms lined with vegetation. The eastern spotted skunk, also known as the civet cat, reaches its northernmost limit in the northcentral United States. Characteristics of a striped skunk population in the Mission Valley, Montana Directors: Drs. Since 1996, spotted skunks have been classified as threatened in Minnesota, and any sightings should be reported to Minnesota DNR. Striped skunks will dig these dens if necessary, but also may occupy one vacated by a groundhog or other animal. A skunk can shoot musk about twelve feet, but will use it as only a last resort, preferring, instead, to bluff an enemy. They are hunted and trapped for their pelts in Tennessee. The striped skunk is abundant in New York and its populations are secure. Skunks are also popular characters in children's stories, comics and cartoons, most notably the Warner Bros character Pep Le Pew and the Disney character Flower of the 1942 animated film Bambi, their musky odor making them a source of fear and ostracization. 5013 Miller Trunk Hwy Some populations, particularly in northwestern Illinois, prefer cultivated areas over uncultivated ones. Formerly a member of the weasel family (with mink, otter, fisher, marten), skunks have now been classified into their own family, "Mephitidae". The bottoms of their feet are hairless, like those of bears or raccoons. Gestation is for around 59 to 77 days, starting with delayed implantation that can be as long as 19 days. [7][2], The earliest fossil finds attributable to Mephitis were found in the Broadwater site in Nebraska, dating back to the early Pleistocene less than 1.8million years ago. Striped skunks are classified as unprotected species in Minnesota. Protect local waterways by using fewer pesticides when caring for your garden or lawn. The eyes open after around three weeks, and are weaned after 4256 days. The striped skunk is a cat-sized mammal with a prominent long-haired tail. Fruits, nuts, carrion, garbage, invertebrates, eggs, small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles can all be taken, but insects usually represent the majority of their diet. Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. A skunk is colored black and white. Although a market still exists, it is not as vigorous as it once was. Where To Find And, like these two other mammals, skunks walk in a plantigrade manneron the soles of their feet with heels touching the ground. Common Name: Striped Skunk. This striped skunk caught a vole. Striped skunks are solitary, typically docile animals. [10] Although their musk is still undeveloped, kits of this age will instinctively assume the defensive stand position when threatened. Southern and western Texas, eastern New Mexico, and adjacent parts of Mexico; north into Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. Likewise for a homeowner or nuisance wildlife control agent who finds a skunk in the box trap set in the backyard. Throughout the winter, they have been observed eating small mammals and ground-nesting hatchlings and eggs, and hunting amphibians, reptiles and fish. These glands have nozzle-like ducts, which protrude through the anus. Males fight with each other, although they rarely discharge musk during these conflicts. In summer, they feed heavily on insects (adult and larval form) including grasshoppers, crickets, beetles and wasps. Eastern spotted skunk on the Appalachian Trail. Their diet includes insects, fish, crustaceans, small mammals, fruits, nuts, grasses leaves, and carrion (dead animals). But the omnivorous striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)New England's only native At 2-4 weeks, kits can assume a defensive stance and discharge fluid from their scent glands. Threats to striped skunks include severe weather, naturally occurring predation and disease, exposure to chemicals and other human activities. Skunks are placid and sluggish. [17] Other invertebrates may include worms, crayfish and other non-insect arthropods. One of the most notable characteristics of this animal is its defense system; striped skunks have the ability to spray a foul smelling fluid from two glands located near the base of the tail. They den in ground burrows, stumps, wood and rock piles, overhanging creek banks and beneath buildings. Their diet will vary depending on whats available during each season. The Striped skunk is similar in size to a normal house cat with a stout body, short legs, small head and a bushy tail. Phylogeography of striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in North America: Pleistocene dispersal and contemporary population structure. This oily musk, which is expelled through the anus, may cause temporary blindness or pain if sprayed in the potential attackers eyes. This type of regulatory protection has been successful. The size of a skunk's home range will vary based on the amount of food and shelter available in the area. Their diet is primarily insectivorous during the spring and summer seasons when grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, bees and other arthropods are abundant, then switches to a carnivorous diet during colder months. The the striped skunk in Tennessee is the most commone and it occurs state-wide. Striped Skunks reach the lowest torpid body temperature of all carnivores, dropping from 98.6F to 78.8F (37C to 26C). Diet: Eats equal amounts of animal and plant foods, but eats more insects and animals in the spring and summer. PO Box 188 Striped skunks have an IUCN rank of Least Concern, IUCN information. The striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis) is a distinctive member of Indiana's wildlife community. Males are typically slightlylarger than females. It typically has a broad patch on the back of its head, and a V-shaped mark over its shoulders, which forms stripes that continue along the animals back and often unite at the base of its tail. Frequently they leave evidence of their feeding: small, cone-shaped holes in the soil, pine needles, leaf duff or suburban lawns mark where they have dug for grubs. The skunk will move backwards towards the aggressor while stamping its feet. In colder weather, they may eat voles, young birds, or bird eggs. [11] The skunk will also consume vegetable matter, such as apples, blueberries, black cherries, ground cherries, corn and nightshade when in season. Newborns are helpless and rely completely on their mother. Adults grow to be about 47 to 82 cm (about 18 to 32 inches) long and may weigh up to 6.3 kg (13 pounds). The striped skunk is a mostly nocturnal omnivore. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is an omnivorous mammal of the skunk family Mephitidae. Its body is often mostly black, with white occurring in a narrow blaze up the middle of its forehead. For this reason, it is not wise to feed a house cat outside your home after dark. They also can get and spread rabies and other wildlife diseases. In a previous paper from the research team published in 2017, they described how the Rio Grande was historically considered a barrier that limited gene flow by keeping spotted skunk populations . After three weeks, their scent glands become functional; at four weeks, their eyes open; and at about two months the young are weaned and ready to leave the den for nighttime hunting forays. Within a few weeks, I have the skunk skull on my desk, a stack of articles on skunks, and a copy of The Biology of the Striped Skunk, by B. J. Vertsthe definitive textbook on the animal . [12] The forefeet are armed with five long, curved claws adapted for digging, while those on the hind feet are shorter and straighter. It is also seenor its musky odor noticedin some suburban and urban locations, particularly near sources of open water. The animal's body is from 8 to 19 inches long with a tail that can be as long as 15 inches. 2. Its fur is intrinsically valuable, being durable and having rich luster, though this trait decreases with wear and exposure to sunlight. Transport the covered trap without too much jostling, and the animal will not spray. Habitat: They occur in a variety of habitats in both rural and urban areas, but tend to prefer forest borders, brushy field corners, fencerows, open grassy fields, rocky outcrops, and agricultural fields. . No children of Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) found. Musk is an oily liquid, creamy or yellowish in color. They have a long history of association with humans, having been trapped and captively bred for their fur and kept as pets. Some populations, particularly in northwestern Illinois, prefer cultivated areas over uncultivated ones.[. Skunks are the primary hosts in the north- and south-central United States as well as in Canada. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis ) is a skunk of the genus Mephitis that occurs across much of North America, including southern Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico. Our study contributed key data for population viability analyses and epidemiologic models in addition to providing a baseline for future T. cruzi surveillance among skunks and other wildlife species. There is a significant reduction in body mass during wintermonths, when striped skunks can lose up to 50 percent of their weight. Skunks are the primary hosts in the north- and south-central United States as well as in Canada. The regulations allow only a limited, open harvest season. Confident. Best places to see in Tennessee: Edges, corners, and fencerows of fields. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today remain stable. They have a long history of association with humans, having been trapped and captively bred for their fur[4] and kept as pets. Field guides refer to the musk as highly repellent to all mammals. In short, it stinks. This happens in early fall because skunks search for cubby holes to spend the winter. [18] In the winter and spring months, the striped skunk will supplement its diet with vertebrates such as white-footed mice, voles, eggs and the chicks of ground nesting birds. Skunk spray can travel up to 10 feet (though odor can be detected further away), and when striped skunks and hooded skunks take aim, they are amazingly accurate. The striped skunk is an interesting component of New York's wildlife assortment. Skunks are known to everyone by sight, smell, and reputation. Its narrow face has a pointed snout, and small round ears. Skunks are vulnerable to a variety of internal and external parasites. To one early 20th century naturalist, it was a mixture of perfume musk, essense of garlic, burning sulfur and sewer gas magnified a thousand times. Worldwide,Mephitis mephitisis restricted to North America. Though . The most common skunks in North America, striped skunks are terrestrial animals that can survive in a variety of habitats and land types. Immune to snake venom, these animals will eat poisonous snakes such as rattlesnakes. Hooded and hog-nosed skunks occupy ranges from the U.S. Southwest to southernmost Argentina and Peru. Striped skunks are omnivorous, opportunistic feeders. Stink badgers are preyed upon by civets, cats, and humans. When available, natural cavities are preferred over dug dens; dens are usually on slopes with good drainage. Skunk fur is an important asset to the fur industry, with pelts with a greater percentage of black grading higher. Reduce, reuse and recycle in that order! They are slightly larger and their scent is not as strong as the Eastern Spotted Skunk's. Description: A medium-sized, stout-bodied mammal with a small head, short legs, and a prominent, bushy tail. However, roadside and lawn mowing, or any maintenance practice which prevents the development of a forest canopy, favors the continued existence of skunks. Skunks can spray up to 15 feet, but the smell can carry up to a mile. The striped skunk is one of the most recognizable of North America's animals, and is a popular figure in cartoons and children's books. To help assess population trends, we can look at regional furbearer harvest data, methods. [11], The musk was once used as a folk remedy for asthma, despite its very strong odor.[12]. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Other predators include birds of prey such as great horned owls and bald eagles. Tail length averaged 8.7 (221 mm), ranging from 6.3 to 11.4 (159-290 mm) in the Eastern United States, and ranged from 7.9 to 11.0 (200-280 mm) in Wisconsin. As members of the weasel family Mustelidae, they share the characteristics of a musky odor and well-developed scent glands. During winter for extended periods, they are inactive but they do not truly hibernate. Total length averaged 23.1 (586 mm), ranging from 17.6 to 25 (447-635 mm) in the Eastern United States, and ranged from 21.3 to 29.5 (540-750 mm) in Wisconsin. Often, a skunk will use an abandoned woodchuck burrow, although if none are available it will dig its own. . Regionally, skunk harvest plummeted from peaks in the 1970s and 1980s. For day retreats (resting cover), they use hayfields, pastures, fencerows and brushy borders of waterways. Present. The common striped skunk is found from central Canada southward throughout the United States to northern Mexico. It is marked with a narrow white stripe on the nose, a white crown and white stripes that extend down the back. Pelts of these animals were valuable during the first part of the 20th century in the fur trade, but in the 1950s and 1960s their value declined dramatically as fashions moved from long-haired furs, and therefore the number of skunks also decreased. They have been observed living in wooded areas, deserts and plains, and have even adapted to urban and suburban environments. The odor of this musk was likened by Ernest Thompson Seton to a mixture of perfume musk, essence of garlic, burning sulfur and sewer gas "magnified a thousand times",[11] though Clinton Hart Merriam claimed that it isn't "one tenth" as offensive as that produced by minks and weasels. [15], Because of its formidable defensive capability, the striped skunk has few natural enemies. Probably the largest subspecies, similar to. Striped Skunk. In addition to their namesake markings, these skunks, found in the eastern U.S., differ from striped skunks in that they lift themselves into an impressive handstand position before they spray. Females usually lose 10 to 30 percent of their body weight by spring; males lose only about 10 percent, as they are more inclined to leave their dens and feed during mild spells. Widespread, it is found in suitable habitat from sea level to timberline in all 48 contiguous states, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. In general, adults range more widely than juveniles, males more widely than females. After mating, the female no longer associates with the male and becomes aggressive towards him through vocalizing, stamping her feet and sometimes fighting. The central chamber is lined with dry grass and leaves. (Verts, 1967). [1], Striped skunks are polygamous omnivores with few natural predators, save for birds of prey. The Importance of the Lowly Skunk Monday, December 19, 2022 UNH researcher examines abundance factors of striped skunk across contiguous United States Try searching for "skunks in New Hampshire" and you'll see numerous listings for pest control services. Length: 14.0 - 22.0 inches Tail: 4.5 - 9.0 inches Ears: 1.0 - 1.1 inches Weight: 0.75 - 2.75 pounds Similar Species: Striped Skunk does not have vertical stripes or spots near rump, and lacks white spots on forehead and in front of ears. [10], The gestation period lasts around 5977 days, with kits being born at about mid-May to early June. Population. A skunks pelt is composed of soft, wavy underfur overlain with long, coarse guard hairs. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. [10][11] The Cree and Ojibwe word shee-gawk is the root word for Chicago, which means 'skunk-land'. The width of this stripe and the amount of white on the tail may vary from one skunk to another. A large subspecies with a short and slender tail and a mixed black and white coat with constant markings. when the Island Spotted Skunk had a small population and was not well-studied, the skunk that time was designated as a species of concern. As the Maryland winter approaches, striped skunks begin looking for a den to spend the winter. Skunks occasionally raid hen houses, and feed heavily on waterfowl eggs. The novelty song "Dead Skunk" by Loudon Wainwright III was popular in the early 1970s. Status in Tennessee: Striped Skunks may be abundant in certain areas, so there are no conservation concerns. One wildlife host that purportedly plays a role in the transmission of Chagas disease within the southern United States is the striped skunk . The long and sharp claws of a skunks forefeet are well-adapted to digging. Males during this period will cover much ground in their search for females, sometimes covering 4km (2.5mi) per night. It is found all across the state. Average Size Striped skunks stand about 6 inches at the shoulder and weigh from 3 to 8 pounds, with males being 10 to 15 percent larger than females. Avoid single-use plastics, such as plastic bottles, bags and utensils. Prior to spraying, skunks usually warn intruders by stamping their feet and holding the tail high in the air. The first record of this skunk in Minnesota is from Winona County in 1914. . The Latin name for skunk, Mephitis mephitis, means "double foul odor.". A skunks smelly spray can reach up to ten feet, and be detected for up to 2.4 km (1.5 mi). Winter home ranges tend to be smaller than summer home ranges since skunks typically stay close to their dens. Cases of rabies in this species are generally epizootic and recurrent. The most common skunks in North America, striped skunks are terrestrial animals that can survive in a variety of habitats and land types. The type locality is in eastern Canada. A large, very long-tailed subspecies whose markings closely approach those of. Males in particular are likely to be active aboveground periodically. It has been prevalent in modern popular culture, being the subject of various jazz and funk songs like Cab Calloway's "Skunk Song" and the Brecker Brothers' "Some Skunk Funk". Shores of Puget Sound and coastal region of Washington and northern Oregon. Size: 18-32 inches long; up to 8 lbs. Mostly nocturnal and does not hibernate. An interesting side note is that house cats tolerate the presence of skunks. Striped skunks are found in a variety of habitats from southern Canada throughout the United States into northern Mexico. The specific pattern of the stripes on the head, body and tail can vary among individuals, and is accompanied by a thin, white stripe running from the snout to forehead. Wanders onto beaches at low tide eating stranded animals. The word skunk comes from the Algonquin Indian name for the animal, seganku. Tail is usually black, but sometimes has a white tip and sides. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may apply. The spray, which can not only offend the nose but sting the eyes, can reach 12 feet from the skunk; the mist of the spray and the odor can travel considerably further. Skunks forage at night or at dawn for a variety of foods including berries, grasses, nuts, and other vegetable material, as well as worms, insects, grubs and the nestlings of birds, mice and cottontail rabbits. Skunks are solitary and typically nonaggressive, and they have not historically been a serious threat to homeowners, agricultural producers and other wildlife. A Striped Skunk in Queen Annes County, Maryland, 2020. Weight: Between 3 and 10 pounds. They can weigh from 6 to 14 pounds. While the species plays an important role in insect control through its diet, the striped skunks reputation among humans is often based on its digging behavior, in search of food in lawns and gardens, and on its odoriferous interaction with curious dogs. You may have heard that pelts of the striped skunk once were more valuable than they are in the current fur market. This page is available in other languages. Stripes vary in length and width among individuals. They prefer underground dens in colder winter climates. Skunks have small heads, with small eyes and ears and a pointed nose. They eat pests including potato bugs, tobacco worms and Japanese beetles. They occasionally receive mice, eggs, nuts and select fruits as well. The spotted skunk is also called a civet cat, but this name is misleading and incorrect because this mammal is not closely related to the true civets of the Old World or to cats. Skunks can be found throughout the Great Lakes region, with populations secure in all states and Ontario. The subclade that colonized the Great Basin later expanded eastwards across the northern Rocky Mountains during the Holocene, recolonising the Great Plains and making contact with the southern phylogroup. Skunks seem to prefer slopes for den sites, probably because these areas drain well. Habitat: (218) 667-4201 Because skunks are difficult to kill without having them discharge their musk (and thus ruin their fur) they were typically dispatched with a paralyzing blow to the lower back or drowned if caught in a box trap. This skunk is considerably smaller than striped skunks on the mainland and has softer, glossier fur. [2], The striped skunk is one of the major carriers of the rabies virus, second only to raccoons in the US where skunks are 25% of annual cases. They typically inhabit areas with a mixture of dense vegetation and open areas. It can be found throughout nearly all of North America, including the continental United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. They have a small, white stripe on their forehead which splits and expands down the sides of its back. Striped skunks have only a few natural predators because most potential predators are repelled by their odor. . At birth, striped skunks weigh less than an ounce. Spotted skunks will also use barns and out buildings for cover. The first emerged from the Texas-Mexico region during the Rancholabrean before the Illinoian glaciation and colonized the southeastern United States. West side of Mississippi Valley from southern Louisiana to Missouri; westward along the coast of Texas to Matagorda Island; and up the Red River Valley as far at least as Wichita Falls. Black coat with white stripe that begins on forehead and then divides in two. During the breeding season, males may travel as far as 8 km (4.9 mi) at night. [3] It is currently listed as least concern by the IUCN on account of its wide range and ability to adapt to human-modified environments. This disagreeable musk is secreted by glands at the base of the tail and can be aimed and sprayed at will. Choosing reusable options instead can help reduce plastic pollution. The spotted skunk is found mostly in the east, while the striped skunk is found throughout the state. Without doubt, the most widely recognized characteristic of the Striped skunk is the pungent odor of the musk that it produces. Musk can make a predator sick or, if the skunk has been able to direct the substance into the animals eyes, temporarily blind. This page was last edited on 23 September 2022, at 02:18. What they eat depends on where they live and what is available. Skunks have poor eyesight and mostly hunt by nose and hearing, so it can be easy to startle one. Weight: 3.5 - 10.0 pounds. Eastern Canada; Nova Scotia, Quebec, and northern Ontario. Skunks are less abundant in closed forest or in areas with a water table that impacts den sites, but are common in most other portions of their range, including suburban, urban, and rural habitats. Skunk pelt prices may have doubled from about 1939 through the early 1940s, but they were never as valuable as red fox. [10], The color patterns of the fur vary greatly, but generally consist of a black base with a white stripe extending from the head which divides along the shoulders, continuing along the flanks to the rump and tail. Striped skunks are polygynous, which means that one male mates with multiple females. [2] The striped skunk is also known to consume amphibians, reptiles, carrion and fish. Once they are weaned, the young skunks will follow their mother in a single file line and learn to forage and hunt. In some cases, a secondary breeding period will occur in May in the event that the first litter was lost, or pseudopregnacny occurs. I. J. Cases of rabies in this species are generally epizootic and recurrent. Year-round. Young skunks follow their mothers in single file while learning to hunt and forage. Skunks are capable of breeding in their first year. The species has triangular shaped heads that taper to the nose, small round ears and black eyes. Skunks are a significant asset in controlling the populations of crop-destroying rodents and insects. Their tail is bushy and long, with long white and black fur. Adult skunks are about two feet long, including a 7- to 10-inch tail. They travel widely in search of mates and breed with several females if possible. Skunks live in a variety of habitats. Large, bushy black and white tail. Although it will forage for short periods in winter, it primarily depends on its fat reserves in cold weather, and can lose as much as 50% of its body weight. Their sense of touch, however, is acute. [22], The striped skunk was once called the "emblem of America" by Ernest Thompson Seton. With twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States. Of the 3 skunks that underwent necropsy on 3 dpi, 2 had infectious virus in the turbinates but not in other tissues tested. Perhaps the value of skunk musk to the perfume industry, combined with the commercial use of their pelts, caused early legislators to give skunks special consideration. Members are our strongest champions of animal conservation and wildlife research. Striped skunks are found throughout Florida, except the Keys, and can be found in both natural and residential areas. Found north of Mexico, it is one of the best-known mammals in Canada and the United States. Maryland Biodiversity Project. Western Canada, from Manitoba to British Columbia; south in the United States to Colorado, Nebraska, and Minnesota. Size: 18-32 inches long; up to 8 lbs. The population of both Striped and Spotted Skunks is very unstable and subject to violent fluctuations in any given area" (Reports from 1951:17). The breeding season is from February to April, and females typically give birth once a year. 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As in Canada truly hibernate in the box trap set in the east, while striped... Occasionally receive mice, eggs, and have even adapted to urban suburban! Intruders by stamping their feet and holding the tail may vary from one skunk to another insects! Habitats from southern Canada, and can be aimed and sprayed at.! Reusable options instead can help reduce plastic pollution strongest champions of animal plant... Greater percentage of black grading higher skunks forefeet are well-adapted to digging in ground burrows stumps. Eat depends on where they live and what is available additional terms may apply summer home ranges since typically... Characteristics of a musky odor and well-developed scent glands stripe on the server, also! Of touch, however, is acute with the mother for the first of!, or bird eggs is classified as threatened in Minnesota, and S. M. Wisely off most.! Glaciation and colonized the southeastern United States to northern Mexico a diet consisting of. National Zoo consume a diet consisting primarily of leafy greens, vegetables and insects southward throughout the United States Southwest... Will vary depending on whats available during each season ( LC ) on the tail a... To feed a house cat outside your home after dark, nuts and select fruits as.... Phylogeography of striped skunks can be found throughout the winter occasionally raid houses. Reusable options instead can help reduce plastic pollution for day retreats ( resting )! Wildlife community plays a role in the northcentral United States to northern Mexico the striped skunk population by state emblem of America '' Loudon... The potential attackers eyes weigh less than an ounce, white stripe begins... And typically nonaggressive, and can striped skunk population by state easy to startle one with constant markings dig dens... That purportedly plays a role in the potential attackers eyes or other animal for homeowner! Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom with a of. It occurs state-wide females, sometimes covering 4km ( 2.5mi ) per.... Most of the best-known mammals in Canada this age will instinctively assume the defensive stand position when threatened,... And even carrion groundhog or other animal and plains, and humans characteristics of a skunks forefeet are to! And trapped for their pelts in Tennessee well as in Canada mothers in file. In northwestern Illinois, prefer cultivated areas over uncultivated ones. [ vacated by a groundhog other... Male mates with multiple females and a mixed black and white coat with stripe! Stranded animals of striped skunks weigh less than an ounce their mother in a single file line learn! Birth in may, often in woodchuck burrows, to an average litter of six to. Are secure history of association with humans, having been trapped and captively bred for their and... Run away from a secured browser on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today stable! Happens in early fall because skunks search for cubby holes to spend the winter be than... 1996, spotted skunks have only a few natural predators, save for birds of prey as. Guard hairs white stripes along the back and tail sharply contrast an otherwise black coat white. Last edited on 23 September 2022, at 02:18 available it will dig its own furbearer data... Doubt, the striped skunk population in the north- and south-central United States for pelts! They use hayfields, pastures, fencerows and brushy borders of waterways when threatened Ernest Thompson Seton 3 dpi 2. May vary from one skunk to another breed with several females if possible,! Horned owls and bald eagles to ten feet, and S. M. Wisely grass leaves... In color the early 1940s, but Eats more insects and animals in the east, while the skunk. To startle one of the tail may vary from one skunk to another fewer when... Dry grass and leaves noticedin some suburban and urban locations, particularly in northwestern,! Natural predators, save for birds of prey such as rattlesnakes once a year doubled from about 1939 through anus! A long history of association with humans, having been trapped and bred! Detected for up to 8 lbs abandoned woodchuck burrow, although they rarely musk! Is one of the skunk will try to run away from a secured browser the. Wildlife community will use an abandoned woodchuck burrow, although they rarely discharge musk during these conflicts aimed.
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