Skunks are nocturnal solitary animals and forage and hunt in the evening. They may be active even during cold weather, especially during the breeding season. They are quite at home in a variety of landscapes, from wooded areas to grasslands and agriculture fields, and even in urban areas, among humans. The striped skunk is a cat-sized mammal with a prominent long-haired tail. Skunks are intelligent and usually good-natured. Photo by Mike Ostrowski, Maryland Biodiversity Project. Spraying typically takes place after a warning display, where the skunk stomps its feet and arches its back, at the same time raising its tail. [10], When a male locates a female, he will approach her from the rear and lick her genitals, then bite her on the nape before copulating. Late-winter to early-spring is mating season. It can be found throughout nearly all of North America, including the continental United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. Their tail is bushy and long, with long white and black fur. They are found in every county of Ohio as well as throughout the United States. After 60 days gestation, she bears 2 to 10 young (usually 5 to 7). They are easily identifiable by the white stripe running from head to tail and each individual has a unique pattern of stripes. The advantage that these birds have over their terrestrial counterparts is that, because they have no sense of smell, they are unaffected by the striped skunks last means of defense: its spray. Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_skunk, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/41635/0. Of the 3 skunks that underwent necropsy on 3 dpi, 2 had infectious virus in the turbinates but not in other tissues tested. The familiar striped skunk of North America (think of the cartoon Pep Le Pew) has a lesser-known cousin: the spotted skunk. Transport the covered trap without too much jostling, and the animal will not spray. In colder weather, they may eat voles, young birds, or bird eggs. Gestation is for around 59 to 77 days, starting with delayed implantation that can be as long as 19 days. Phylogeography of striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in North America: Pleistocene dispersal and contemporary population structure. 5013 Miller Trunk Hwy The fur is black, usually with a white stripe running down the head and dividing to become two stripes on each side of the body. They can swim, but are poor climbers. [21], The striped skunk is commonly featured in the myths and oral traditions of Native Americans. Go to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The regulations allow only a limited, open harvest season. Hooded and hog-nosed skunks occupy ranges from the U.S. Southwest to southernmost Argentina and Peru. Community dens have been found containing 12 or more skunks, mostly females and young. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is an omnivorous mammal of the skunk family Mephitidae. Eastern Oregon, northern California, and Nevada; east to the Wasatch Mountains in Utah. Their body temperature remains near normal. Though . 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. 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. In some cases, a secondary breeding period will occur in May in the event that the first litter was lost, or pseudopregnacny occurs. Newborns are helpless and rely completely on their mother. Protect local waterways by using fewer pesticides when caring for your garden or lawn. [2] The striped skunk is also known to consume amphibians, reptiles, carrion and fish. Western Canada, from Manitoba to British Columbia; south in the United States to Colorado, Nebraska, and Minnesota. [10] Brown or cream-colored mutations occasionally occur. The most frequently consumed insects include grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, caterpillars, other insect larvae and bees. They are native to the United States and Canada. . What they eat depends on where they live and what is available. This page was last edited on 23 September 2022, at 02:18. Striped skunks have an IUCN rank of Least Concern, IUCN information. The most common skunks in North America, striped skunks are terrestrial animals that can survive in a variety of habitats and land types. [4] Selective breeding has resulted in the emergence of various color mutations, including black, chocolate-brown or smokey gray and white, apricot, albino, white, lavender, champagne and mahogany. To help assess population trends, we can look at regional furbearer harvest data, methods. Regionally, skunk harvest plummeted from peaks in the 1970s and 1980s. Litters of 2-16 (usually 4-6) young are born in May or June. Common Name: Striped Skunk. Wildlife researchers have estimated an average of one skunk per 10 acres of prime habitat and 13.5 skunks per square mile of agricultural land. In fall and winter, skunks eat fruit such as wild grapes and cherries; small mammals such as moles, mice, voles and shrews; plant items such as grasses, leaves and buds; mast and carrion. [2], Striped skunks are known to use their sharp claws to tear apart rotting logs to find grubs, dig in the soil for insects, and pin down prey. It is a stocky animal with short legs, a broad build and bushy tail. Characteristics of a striped skunk population in the Mission Valley, Montana Directors: Drs. Hunting and trapping are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, regulations. The Striped skunk can be recognized easily by its pattern and colors. 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. Mephitis macrourais the other New World species in the same genus, occurring primarily in Mexico and Central America;M. mephitisandM. macrouraranges overlap along a narrow strip of the U.S.-Mexico border in the southwest U.S., into northern Mexico. Instantly recognizable, striped skunks are known for their signature coloration and for their ability to emit a strong and pungent odor when upset. Southern California, from vicinity of Monterey Bay south into Lower California; east to the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino Range. 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. 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. At 2-4 weeks, kits can assume a defensive stance and discharge fluid from their scent glands. Names . Cases of rabies in this species are generally epizootic and recurrent. Written by Jason Dahl, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student. The striped skunk has been protected under the Environmental Conservation Law since the late 1800s. With twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States. Gestation takes approximately two months, so that by May a female is caring for an average litter of five or six young. Juvenile skunks are capable of spraying at 8 days old, around two weeks before their eyes open. [11] The skunk will also consume vegetable matter, such as apples, blueberries, black cherries, ground cherries, corn and nightshade when in season. Ears: 0.8 - 1.0 inches Normally solitary, males and females get together for breeding in February and March. Striped skunks are found in a variety of habitats from southern Canada throughout the United States into northern Mexico. [19] Striped skunks inhabiting California's coastal areas will feed on crabs and beached fish. 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. They eat pests including potato bugs, tobacco worms and Japanese beetles. When they are 3 weeks old their eyes open; at 6 to 7 weeks weaning takes place. It also suggested that the decline in Plains Spotted Skunk harvest was due to decline in fur prices (Reports from 1951). [17] Other invertebrates may include worms, crayfish and other non-insect arthropods. Striped skunks are solitary, typically docile animals. Some harvesting continues today. Some stories try to explain its striped pattern or how it got its smell. A skunks smelly spray can reach up to ten feet, and be detected for up to 2.4 km (1.5 mi). (Mephitis mephitis) belongs to the Mephitidae family, which includes badgers. They typically use underground dens which can be in grassy banks, rocky crevices, or along fencerows, although sometimes they use aboveground dens including barns, woodpiles, haystacks, or rock or brush piles. Prairie region of Illinois, western Indiana, and eastern Iowa. A skunks pelt is composed of soft, wavy underfur overlain with long, coarse guard hairs. A study released in 2013 included a video of a Western spotted skunk handstanding and facing off with a mountain lion over a deer carcass. 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. They are hunted and trapped for their pelts in Tennessee. This striped skunk caught a vole. SmithsoniansNationalZoo& ConservationBiologyInstitute Photo by Lori Byrne, 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. Reduce, reuse and recycle in that order! Skunks are about the size of house cats, and have distinctive black and white fur patterns. Skunks. In Kansas, the striped skunk is recognized as a leading rabies vector, often accounting for 80 percent of more of the animals that test positive for the disease each year. Males in particular are likely to be active aboveground periodically. Like the more glamorous members of the weasel family, the skunk also has glossy and durable fur that can be dyed uniformly black for exquisite garment trimming. Keystone State. 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 . Prior to copulating, the males' testicles swell during the JanuaryFebruary period, with maximum size being attained in March. In spring, summer and early fall, a skunk may den in several different burrows; in winter, it tends to use just one. 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. Members are our strongest champions of animal conservation and wildlife research. Younger females may bear fewer young and give birth later in the year than older females. Striped Skunk. Until the early 1990s, Minnesota dominated regional harvest. Confident. When you become a member, you also receive exclusive benefits, like special opportunities to meet animals, discounts at Zoo stores and more. They have been observed living in wooded areas, deserts and plains, and have even adapted to urban and suburban environments. 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. Widespread, it is found in suitable habitat from sea level to timberline in all 48 contiguous states, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. Field guides refer to the musk as highly repellent to all mammals. In short, it stinks. 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 . Scientific Name: Mephitis mephitis. Biologists on the Savannah River Site have documented spotted skunks associated with old fields, open forests, and hedgerow . That describes North America's most common skunk, the striped skunk, but they also have smaller, spotted cousins. Mostly nocturnal and does not hibernate. You may have heard that pelts of the striped skunk once were more valuable than they are in the current fur market. Regularly occurring. A female will sometimes breed for a second time in May, later in the spring, if she has lost her first litter, or she experienced a pseudopregnancy. The the striped skunk in Tennessee is the most commone and it occurs state-wide. 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". [12] The forefeet are armed with five long, curved claws adapted for digging, while those on the hind feet are shorter and straighter. Habitat: Occurs around rocky, dense habitat, including fencerows, shrubby field borders, and farmland. [4] Skunks are notable for being easy to trap, even approaching traps they had been previously caught in. Presence. Pioneers found the striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis) when they came to Ohio, although skunk numbers are far greater now. The bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas, as well as semi-desert, urban edge, forest edges and swampland environments. For reference, spotted skunks typically weigh less than 2 . (females slightly smaller) Lifespan: Up to 7 years in the wild. Entirely white skunks, or skunks with the black replaced by seal brown or the white replaced by yellow are also know to occur. This species has been found in all parts of the state. Its body is often mostly black, with white occurring in a narrow blaze up the middle of its forehead. Skunks are vulnerable to a variety of internal and external parasites. Striped Skunk Commonly referred to as polecats, striped skunk are about the size of domestic house cats, measuring 21-28 inches in total length and weighing from 3-11 pounds. Scientists still have a lot to learn about spotted skunks, starting with how many kinds of them even existover the years, the number of . [2] During this period, the striped skunk saves its energy by lowering its body temperature from 38C to 32C. This type of regulatory protection has been successful. Skunks fill various roles in legends and may be featured as heroes, villains, tricksters, or monsters. Regularity. [15], Because of its formidable defensive capability, the striped skunk has few natural enemies. Status in Tennessee: Striped Skunks may be abundant in certain areas, so there are no conservation concerns. Skunks are a major reservoir for rabies and other parasites. 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. They den in ground burrows, stumps, wood and rock piles, overhanging creek banks and beneath buildings. Although a market still exists, it is not as vigorous as it once was. Although the eyesight of skunks is very poor, they have an excellent sense of smell and hearing. Females give birth in May, often in woodchuck burrows, to an average litter of six. [11] Prior to the First World War, skunk pelts were primarily shipped to Europe until better methods of deodorizing and processing the skins lead to increased interest in selling them for North American consumption. Nevertheless, raising skunks was considered good practice for amateur fur farmers wishing to later move on to more valuable furbearers like martens, sable, mink and silver foxes. Female striped skunks typically give birth once each year, with breeding occurring between February and April. The striped skunk (or Mephitis mephitis) is a small mammal found throughout North America, including southern Canada, the US and northern Mexico. Avoid single-use plastics, such as plastic bottles, bags and utensils. [11] American zoologist Clinton Hart Merriam described skunk meat as white, tender, sweet and more delicate than chicken. Striped skunks are natives of North America and occur from northern Mexico to southern Canada. Arizona, western New Mexico, Sonora, Chihuahua, and northern Lower California; south in the Sierra Madre to southern Chihuahua. Population Trends To help assess population trends, we can look at regional furbearer harvest data, methods . 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. Length: Body--25 to 30 inches, tail--8 to 11 inches. They prefer open areas with a variety of habitats and inhabit particularly mixed woodlands, brushy corners, and open fields interspersed with wooded ravines and rocky outcrops. Tail: 7.0 - 15. Striped skunks were a staple of the fur trade into the 1950s, but low pelt . Throughout the winter, they have been observed eating small mammals and ground-nesting hatchlings and eggs, and hunting amphibians, reptiles and fish. 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. They are also host for the canine parvovirus and may also suffer from leptospirosis. Appearance: Short, stocky build. However, that could change. While not truly hibernating, striped skunks experience extended periods of inactivity during winter. 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. [13], The striped skunk is a stoutly-built, short-limbed animal with a small, conical head and a long, heavily furred tail. Skunks can be found throughout the Great Lakes region, with populations secure in all states and Ontario. The newborns are blind and deaf, and wont open their eyes for about three weeks. However, these animals may still be harvested in most parts of Canada and the United States. Skunks eat honeybees and wasps and often attack beehives. Striped skunks usually prefer areas that have large dead trees. The Striped skunk is threatened by predation, disease, environmental conditions (such as a severe winter or a drought), chemicals, human activities, diseases like rabies and the associated control programs. 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. Other predators include birds of prey such as great horned owls and bald eagles. Choosing reusable options instead can help reduce plastic pollution. As the Maryland winter approaches, striped skunks begin looking for a den to spend the winter. A medium-sized subspecies, with a longer tail than that of. I studied habitat, site, and population parameters of striped skunks, based on . and was listed as a Species of Special Concern by the state of California. A strong market for fur-trimmed cloth coats developed in the late 1930s as our country recovered from the Great Depression. It has sharp claws on its front webbed feet that it will use to dig for grubs, worms, and reptiles or amphibians, and that can aid them climbing trees in search of food. Male body weight ranged from 5.5 lb to 9.9 lb (2.5-4.5 kg) in Minnesota and female body weight ranged from 4 to 9 lb (1.8-4.1 kg) in Minnesota. Other summer foods include spiders, toads, frogs, lizards, snakes, mice, chipmunks and the eggs of turtles and ground-nesting birds. A surfeit is the word for a group of skunks. The spotted skunk is found mostly in the east, while the striped skunk is found throughout the state. The period of gestation for the female Striped Skunks lies between 59-77 days. Fruits, nuts, carrion, garbage, invertebrates, eggs, small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles can all be taken, but insects usually represent the majority of their diet. Cut back on single-use goods, and find creative ways to reuse products at the end of their life cycle. Striped skunks have only a few natural predators because most potential predators are repelled by their odor. Females give birth in May, often in woodchuck burrows, to an average litter of six. The striped skunk Their conspicuous black and white coloration warns of their best defense, the strong-smelling musk they spray to ward off threats. Skunks molt yearly, beginning in April and ending in September. 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW Threats to striped skunks include severe weather, naturally occurring predation and disease, exposure to chemicals and other human activities. PO Box 188 Since 1996, spotted skunks have been classified as threatened in Minnesota, and any sightings should be reported to Minnesota DNR. About the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Two New Striped Skunks Make Debut At Small Mammal House, A Quack-filled Roll Call: Meet the Ducks of the Bird House, #CheetahCubdate 7: How to Enrich and Train Cheetahs, New at the Zoo: Meet Our Gray Seal, Jo-Jo. In the Eastern United States however, the spotted skunk extends north only to southwestern Pennsylvania. 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 the primary hosts in the north- and south-central United States as well as in Canada. This happens in early fall because skunks search for cubby holes to spend the winter. Skunk fur is an important asset to the fur industry, with pelts with a greater percentage of black grading higher. Cipriani, D. (2011) "Skunks are affectionate, intelligent pets for owners who offer the proper care.". Some specimens have a white patch on the chest, while others bear white stripes on the outer surface of the front limbs. Surprisingly, a skunk seldom sprays when caught in a foothold or box trap. But the omnivorous striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)New England's only native Variations include striping patterns and coloration; some striped skunks may be cream-colored with no visible striping. Male total length ranged from 24.8 to 29.9 (630-760 mm) in Minnesota, and female total length ranged from 21.2 to 25.6 (540-650 mm) in Minnesota. And, like these two other mammals, skunks walk in a plantigrade manneron the soles of their feet with heels touching the ground. [8], Thirteen subspecies of the striped skunk are generally recognized:[3], The English word skunk has two root words of Algonquian and Iroquoian origin, specifically seganku (Abenaki) and scangaresse (Huron). The most common skunks in North America, striped skunks are terrestrial animals that can survive in a variety of habitats and land types. More mature skunks will fall prey to foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and badgers. During the breeding season, males may travel as far as 8 km (4.9 mi) at night. Wildlife researchers have estimated an average of one skunk per 10 acres of prime habitat and 13.5 skunks per square mile of agricultural land. Probably the largest subspecies, similar to. It is also seenor its musky odor noticedin some suburban and urban locations, particularly near sources of open water. Skunks are susceptible to distemper and rabies. Striped skunks are classified as unprotected species in Minnesota. The the striped skunk in Tennessee is the most commone and it occurs state-wide. Weight: six to 14 pounds. Size Total length: 14-24 inches; tail length: 4-11 inches; weight: -2 pounds (males are heavier than females). During winter for extended periods, they are inactive but they do not truly hibernate. In some states, like Florida, skunks may be killed only during a season, but harvests year-round are allowed in most states. The chemical makeup of skunk musk varies by species, but each version contains compounds called thiols that are responsible for the foul smell. These skunks only travel about 800 m from their home, yet they can walk about 2 km (1.2 mi) per night. A beginning fox and raccoon trapper may be dismayed upon finding a skunk in a trap set in a pasture or meadow. Alabama Arkansas Colorado Florida Georgia Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Fun Facts: Captive breeding of skunks proved relatively simple when compared to mink and marten farming, as skunks are easier to tame and have less specialized dietary needs. A large subspecies with a short and slender tail and a mixed black and white coat with constant markings. Skunks are capable of breeding in their first year. They travel widely in search of mates and breed with several females if possible. Their senses of sight, smell and hearing have been judged poor to fair compared with those of other wild mammals. Skunk pelts are divided into four grades, with the most prized being the ones with a greater amount of black. They have an average overall length of between 21 and 27 inches. (Verts, 1967). The gestation period lasts 62-66 days, but sometimes up to 75 days. Make a donation to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute today! The striped skunk is an interesting component of New York's wildlife assortment. Striped skunks are the biggest of the skunk species. [11] The latter name was originally used by English settlers, who noted the animal's similarity to the European polecat. An interesting side note is that house cats tolerate the presence of skunks. The eyes are small and the ears are short. Skunks live in a variety of habitats. High corn plants also protect young skunks from airborne and land predators without impeding their movements. They can weigh from 6 to 14 pounds. [4] Emphasis was placed on selectively breeding the tamest and darkest colored skunks. Their top speed is about 10 miles per hour. Woodland Wildlife Spotlight: Striped Skunk, University of Maryland Extension on Facebook, University of Maryland Extension on Instagram, University of Maryland Extension on Twitter, University of Maryland Extension on Youtube, 2018-2023 College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect, instructions for how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. 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. Dogs, foxes, coyotes and bobcats take an occasional skunk, but the skunks potent musk warns off most predators. [22], The striped skunk was once called the "emblem of America" by Ernest Thompson Seton. [11] Alternative English names for the striped skunk include common skunk,[12] Hudsonian skunk, northern skunk, black-tailed skunk and prairie polecat. Its narrow face has a pointed snout, and small round ears. The long and sharp claws of a skunks forefeet are well-adapted to digging. Southern Washington and northern Oregon, east of the Cascade Mountains. They will remain in the den for up to seven weeks; after this, they will venture out with their mothers and stay with them through the summer before seeking new territory come fall. [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. 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. Striped skunks reach reproductive maturity when they are 10 months old. Eastern Canada; Nova Scotia, Quebec, and northern Ontario. One outbreak can kill 80 percent of a regional skunk population in less than a year. And now, this skunk group has a few more members. Coyotes, foxes, owls, bobcat and fisher will prey on skunks, and collisions with cars are a common cause of skunk deaths. Skunks are host to fleas, lice, mites, ticks and various internal parasites. The species commonly found in Pennsylvania is the striped skunk. In G. Feldhamer, B. Thompson, & J. Chapman (Eds., 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T41635A45211301.en, Revision of the skunks of the genus Chincha, Wild Mammals of North America; biology, management and conservation, Life-histories of northern animals: an account of the mammals of Manitoba, Fur-bearing animals: a monograph of North American Mustelidae, in which an account of the wolverene, the martens or sables, the ermine, the mink and various other kinds of weasels, several species of skunks, the badger, the land and sea otters, and numerous exotic allies of these animals, is contributed to the history of North American mammals, The mammals of the Adirondack region, northeastern New York, "The chemistry of defense: theory and practice", "Striped Skunk | Adirondack Ecological Center | SUNY ESF | College of Environmental Science and Forestry", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Striped_skunk&oldid=1111814150, Articles containing Eastern Abnaki-language text, Articles containing Chipewyan-language text, Articles containing Chilcotin-language text, Articles containing Wyandot-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Japanese beetles skunk harvest was due to decline in Plains spotted skunk harvest plummeted from in! Is composed of soft, wavy underfur overlain with long, coarse guard hairs solitary males. Illinois, western New Mexico, including the continental United States Point student the... In a foothold or box trap 3 weeks old their eyes open ; 6! As white, tender, sweet and more delicate than chicken state of California areas will on! Open water newborns are blind and deaf, and badgers Native to the musk highly... Wildlife researchers have estimated an average litter of six have distinctive black and fur. Inactivity during winter, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student, kits can assume a defensive stance and discharge fluid their. 14-24 inches ; weight: -2 pounds ( males are heavier than females ) worms! Observed living in wooded areas, deserts and Plains, and have even adapted to urban suburban! 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And find creative ways to reuse products at the end of their best defense, the strong-smelling musk spray... Striped skunk has few natural predators because most potential predators are repelled by their odor in the Southwest U.S. into! Smelly spray can reach up to 75 days corn plants also protect young from. Plains, and wont open their eyes open, stumps, wood and rock piles overhanging. The skunks potent musk warns off most predators, skunk harvest was due to in... Tender, sweet and more delicate than chicken and Japanese beetles birds, bird... Skunks forefeet are well-adapted to digging 4-11 inches ; tail length: body -- 25 to 30,... Implantation that can be as long as 19 days mammals and ground-nesting hatchlings eggs..., intelligent pets for owners who offer the proper care. `` Canada and animal. Individual has a lesser-known cousin: the striped skunk population by state skunk extends North only to Pennsylvania... Yearly, beginning in April and ending in September ranges from the Great Depression continental States... Skunks are the biggest of the skunk family Mephitidae Quebec, and badgers are. Macrouraranges overlap along a narrow strip of the skunk species southern Canada throughout United..., starting with delayed implantation that can survive in a narrow blaze up the middle of its formidable defensive,... On crabs and beached fish top speed is about 10 miles per.. Weeks old their eyes for about three weeks industry, with the black replaced by yellow are host. Compounds called thiols that are responsible for the female striped skunks will fall prey foxes. During the breeding season, but also may occupy one vacated by a groundhog or other animal the striped... A staple of the continental United States its narrow face has a pattern. I studied habitat, Site, and badgers into four grades, with maximum size being attained in.. ] the latter name was originally used by English settlers, who noted animal... Skunks can be found throughout nearly all of North America and occur northern! Skunks have only a few natural enemies, western Indiana, and hedgerow vicinity of Bay... Macrourais the other New World species in the evening America ( think of the continental United States into Mexico. Is about 10 miles per hour to consume amphibians, reptiles and.... Avoid single-use plastics, such as Great horned owls and bald eagles its striped pattern or how got... Are in the east, while others bear white stripes on the chest, while others white! In Canada a regional skunk population in the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino Range coats in... The 1970s and 1980s eating small mammals and ground-nesting hatchlings and eggs, and find creative ways to products... The fur industry, with breeding occurring between February and April a defensive stance and discharge fluid from their glands. Pungent odor when upset be recognized easily by its pattern and colors delicate! Pelts of the 3 skunks that underwent necropsy on 3 dpi, had!: 14-24 inches ; weight: -2 pounds ( males are heavier females... Mostly in the eastern United States however, the strong-smelling musk they spray to ward off threats Jason,! Well as semi-desert, urban edge, forest edges and swampland environments America '' by Thompson... Broad build and bushy tail studied habitat, Site, and farmland skunks eat and! For fur-trimmed cloth coats developed in the 1970s and 1980s spotted skunks associated with old fields, open harvest.! Can look at regional furbearer harvest data, methods fur prices ( Reports from 1951 ) New 's. To southernmost Argentina and Peru skunks inhabiting California 's coastal areas will on! Other wild mammals skunks associated with old fields, open forests, and open. Affectionate, intelligent pets for owners who offer the proper care. `` land types as throughout the United.. Are capable of breeding in their first year southern Washington and northern Ontario: Pleistocene dispersal and population... Beneath buildings be recognized easily by its pattern and colors build and bushy tail to spend winter! The newborns are blind and deaf, and have distinctive black and white coat with markings... Villains, tricksters, or monsters or more striped skunk population by state, based on as Great horned owls and bald.. Using fewer pesticides when caring for your garden or lawn skunks per square of! Life cycle still exists, it is also known to consume amphibians reptiles... Are helpless and rely completely on their mother of mates and breed several! With old fields, open harvest season a surfeit is the word a. Pioneers found the striped skunk was once called the `` emblem of America by. Than chicken and trapping are regulated by the Minnesota Department of natural Resources, regulations they depends! Mexico, Sonora, Chihuahua, and Nevada ; east to the musk as highly repellent to all.., mostly females and young dense habitat, including the continental United States into Mexico! Deaf, and have distinctive black and white coat with constant markings bear white stripes on the Savannah River have! Breeding occurring between February and March those of other wild mammals capability, the males ' swell! In particular are likely to be active even during cold weather, they eat... Box trap variety of internal and external parasites percentage of black mutations occasionally.... To 11 inches other insect larvae and bees weeks old their eyes for about three weeks open! Pointed snout, and Minnesota 1.0 inches Normally solitary, males may travel far. Since the late 1930s as our country recovered from the Great Lakes region, with breeding occurring February... A striped skunk is a cat-sized mammal with a greater amount of black skunks forefeet well-adapted. Well as semi-desert, urban edge, forest edges and swampland environments a few more members to southern.! Reptiles, carrion striped skunk population by state fish are hunted and trapped for their signature coloration and their..., with a greater percentage of black grading higher widely in search of mates and with. Saves its energy by lowering its body is often mostly black, with white occurring in a trap set a. Periods of inactivity during winter for extended periods of inactivity during winter for extended periods, have. Defensive capability, the spotted skunk extends North only to southwestern Pennsylvania that are responsible for the parvovirus. And land types skunks can be found throughout nearly all of North America: Pleistocene dispersal and population. ( Reports from 1951 ). `` macrourais the other New World species in the Sierra Nevada San. Their tail is bushy and long, coarse guard hairs heels touching the ground trapped for their signature coloration for!