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. Most striped skunks do not survive their first year, succumbing to the weather or disease. Alabama Arkansas Colorado Florida Georgia Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska 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. Some specimens have a white patch on the chest, while others bear white stripes on the outer surface of the front limbs. The burrow has a central chamber (12 to 15 inches in diameter) about three feet underground, connected to the surface by one or more tunnels 5 to 15 feet long. [20], The fat was once reputed to make an excellent lubricant. Found up to about 2000 feet on the west side of the state. Skunk dens have 1-5 well-hidden entrances, and end in 1-3 rooms lined with vegetation. Local populations are also affected by severe weather, food scarcities and habitat change. They can weigh from around 2 lbs to over 10 lbs. Skunks are placid and sluggish. 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. One wildlife host that purportedly plays a role in the transmission of Chagas disease within the southern United States is the striped skunk . 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 . In the Eastern United States however, the spotted skunk extends north only to southwestern Pennsylvania. [13], The striped skunk is a stoutly-built, short-limbed animal with a small, conical head and a long, heavily furred tail. This page was last edited on 23 September 2022, at 02:18. 3 of 8 Although these animals are usually silent, they can make a wide range of sounds, including hissing, screeching, churring, growling, twittering, and cooing sounds during social interactions or when alarmed. The common striped skunk is found from central Canada southward throughout the United States to northern Mexico. Litters number 2 to 10 kits. If they do survive, in the wild they can live for up to 7 years, and in captivity for up to 10 years. A medium-sized subspecies, with a longer tail than that of. Skunks breed in February or March, and after a 63 day gestation period, 4-6 kits are born in May. They prefer underground dens in colder winter climates. 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. Prairie region of Illinois, western Indiana, and eastern Iowa. The striped skunk is a mostly nocturnal omnivore. Cases of rabies in this species are generally epizootic and recurrent. Some farmers welcome their presence, realizing that these small predators eat many pest insects and rodents. Like all skunks, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators. They move at a deliberate walk, slow trot or clumsy gallop. Female striped skunks typically give birth once each year, with breeding occurring between February and April. The one limiting factor is a need to have a water supply close by, generally within 2 miles of their home range. There is a significant reduction in body mass during wintermonths, when striped skunks can lose up to 50 percent of their weight. Striped skunks have an easily identifiable coloration: two thick white stripes along the back and tail sharply contrast an otherwise black coat. The first emerged from the Texas-Mexico region during the Rancholabrean before the Illinoian glaciation and colonized the southeastern United States. Spotted skunks are generally less tolerant of humans than the striped skunk (Henderson 1976). Trapping may help minimize the impacts of disease on a skunk population. These grades are further subdivided in value according to their locality, with the most valuable occurring in northern regions, where the fur is finer and darker. Striped skunks can experience delayed implantation lasting up to 19 days. It also suggested that the decline in Plains Spotted Skunk harvest was due to decline in fur prices (Reports from 1951). Of the 3 skunks that underwent necropsy on 3 dpi, 2 had infectious virus in the turbinates but not in other tissues tested. This striped skunk caught a vole. Cut back on single-use goods, and find creative ways to reuse products at the end of their life cycle. They den in ground burrows, stumps, wood and rock piles, overhanging creek banks and beneath buildings. New Hanover. Preferred foods are insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles; also eats bees, wasps, mice, lizards, snakes, crayfish, bird eggs, and mushrooms. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is an omnivorous mammal of the skunk family Mephitidae. It is not unusual to see a female skunk with a line of little black and white copies following her across a damp pasture or lawn on an early July morning. Spotted skunks will also use barns and out buildings for cover. Appearance: Short, stocky build. Identification General description: The striped skunk is a medium-sized mammal that has a glossy black coat with a thin white stripe between its eyes and two stripes on its back. Young, called kits or kittens, are born helpless, with eyes opening at about 3 weeks and weaning occurring at 6 to 7 weeks. Large, bushy black and white tail. The most frequently consumed insects include grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, caterpillars, other insect larvae and bees. One of the most common skunk complaints, a strong odor of skunk essence during the nights of early fall, often is the result of inadequate home maintenance and of allowing dogs to roam free at night. Males are typically slightlylarger than females. Male tail length ranged from 8.7 to 11.0 (220-280 mm) in Minnesota, and female tail length ranged from 7.9 to 10.4 (200-265 mm) in Minnesota. Large, bushy black and white tail. While not truly hibernating, striped skunks experience extended periods of inactivity during winter. And, contrary to popular opinion, it can discharge when hoisted by the tail. Wade-Smith, J. When they are 3 weeks old their eyes open; at 6 to 7 weeks weaning takes place. The striped skunk is a black and white mammal about the size of a house cat. 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. . Striped skunks are polygynous, which means that one male mates with multiple females. 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. The skunk will move backwards towards the aggressor while stamping its feet. Striped skunk is ideally suited for this purpose because the white hairs of the pelt become a uniform, glossy black when dyed. They have a small, white stripe on their forehead which splits and expands down the sides of its back. Striped skunks are classified as unprotected species in Minnesota. Skunks eat honeybees and wasps and often attack beehives. They have a long history of association with humans, having been trapped and captively bred for their fur[4] and kept as pets. 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. Special Requests to Use State Game Lands Information, Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP), HUNTING:July. It has broad stripes that cover its body length, although the coloration may vary. (females slightly smaller). The striped skunk can be a difficult neighbor because of its fearlessness and effective weaponry. Pioneers found the striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis) when they came to Ohio, although skunk numbers are far greater now. Mammalian predators typically avoid skunks, unless they are starving. It is also seenor its musky odor noticedin some suburban and urban locations, particularly near sources of open water. May stretch the length of the back. Stink badgers are preyed upon by civets, cats, and humans. There is The eyes are small and the ears are short. 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. Description. Coyotes, foxes, owls, bobcat and fisher will prey on skunks, and collisions with cars are a common cause of skunk deaths. Common Name: Striped Skunk. SmithsoniansNationalZoo& ConservationBiologyInstitute They often live in the abandoned dens of other mammals during the day, or take up residence in hollowed logs, brush piles or underneath buildings. As a fur-bearing mammal, striped skunks were often hunted for their pelts; while these pelts are no longer in great demand, the state of Maryland regulates hunting and trapping of striped skunks to best manage their populations. Choosing reusable options instead can help reduce plastic pollution. As many outdoors enthusiasts or dog owners can attest, the striped skunks spray is a truly memorable experience. This bustling skunk habitat spans as far west as Emerald Ranch before dispersing toward the state borders. [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. . In winter it is common for a single den to be occupied by multiple females and a single male. Striped skunks can be found throughout Pennsylvania, but the highest densities are associated with agricultural areas. Coleraine, MN 55722, Ermine (Short-tailed Weasel; Mustela erminea). Likewise for a homeowner or nuisance wildlife control agent who finds a skunk in the box trap set in the backyard. [19] Striped skunks inhabiting California's coastal areas will feed on crabs and beached fish. Skunks. During the day, they nest in the abandoned dens that other animals have lived in, or in brush piles or hollowed logs, or underneath buildings. Two subsequent subclades were formed during the Sangamonian interglacial on either side of the Sierra Nevada. Regionally, skunk harvest plummeted from peaks in the 1970s and 1980s. Striped skunks are typically found at elevations below 5,900 feet (1,800 meters). These skunks only travel about 800 m from their home, yet they can walk about 2 km (1.2 mi) per night. Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_skunk, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/41635/0. [6], The striped skunk was first formally named by Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber as Viverra mephitis. Male striped skunks breed with multiple females, and are rejected by the females after mating occurs. They are native to the United States and Canada. Though . Striped skunks are typically docile mammals that tolerate humans in close proximity without showing aggression. (Verts, 1967). The Latin name for skunk, Mephitis mephitis, means "double foul odor.". Weight: 3.5 - 10.0 pounds. 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. Until the early 1990s, Minnesota dominated regional harvest. 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". Wanders onto beaches at low tide eating stranded animals. Southern California, from vicinity of Monterey Bay south into Lower California; east to the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino Range. Without doubt, the most widely recognized characteristic of the Striped skunk is the pungent odor of the musk that it produces. Its body is often mostly black, with white occurring in a narrow blaze up the middle of its forehead. Reproduction. Scientists still have a lot to learn about spotted skunks, starting with how many kinds of them even existover the years, the number of . A Striped Skunk in Wicomico County, Maryland, 2011. High corn plants also protect young skunks from airborne and land predators without impeding their movements. 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. [1], Striped skunks are polygamous omnivores with few natural predators, save for birds of prey. 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. Conservation Ranks. [11], Skunk farming largely began during the late 1890s, when there was much foreign demand for their skins, and intensive trapping had largely extirpated the more valuable mostly black-colored specimens. 2012. Most skunks do not survive their first year because of infectious diseases and severe weather conditions. They prefer open areas, with abundant populations observed on agricultural lands. The eastern spotted skunk, also known as the civet cat, reaches its northernmost limit in the northcentral United States. Picture a skunk. The musk is a strong irritant to the eyes and nose, and acts as a depressant to the central . More mature skunks will fall prey to foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and badgers. Because striped skunks are abundant, their populations are often susceptible to diseases such as rabies. Skunks are capable of breeding in their first year. Florida to North Carolina, and in the mountains to West Virginia; west on the Gulf coast to the Mississippi River. [17] Other invertebrates may include worms, crayfish and other non-insect arthropods. 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. Other predators include birds of prey such as great horned owls and bald eagles. . Tail is usually black, but sometimes has a white tip and sides. Dogs, foxes, coyotes and bobcats take an occasional skunk, but the skunks potent musk warns off most predators. Formerly a member of the weasel family (with mink, otter, fisher, marten), skunks have now been classified into their own family, "Mephitidae". Eyes open when they are about 3 weeks old. No children of Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) found. Their body temperature remains near normal. Although skunks in New York retreat to winter dens and remain inactive for extended periods, they do not hibernate. Striped skunks are omnivorous. In the photo above, a striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is on left and a spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius) is on right. Many areas of the state have yet to be surveyed; the lack of an observation doesn't . Maryland is home to two members of the skunk family. They are slightly larger and their scent is not as strong as the Eastern Spotted Skunk's. Kits are able to follow their mother on hunting trips at two months, and soon after disperse. Transport the covered trap without too much jostling, and the animal will not spray. Prior to copulating, the males' testicles swell during the JanuaryFebruary period, with maximum size being attained in March. Habitat: (females slightly smaller) Lifespan: Up to 7 years in the wild. There's no reason to specify; you will undoubtedly find a few skunks just by traveling up and down the eastern side of the state. Widespread, it is found in suitable habitat from sea level to timberline in all 48 contiguous states, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. Striped skunks have black fur with a wide, white stripe from the head all the way down the back on the body. Stripes vary in length and width among individuals. The Striped Skunk is found in lowlands throughout Washington, preferring relatively open country such as logged lands, old fields, open woods, brushy grassland, forest edges, riparian corridors, and agricultural areas. Skunks are intelligent and usually good-natured. They do not hibernate, and may forage for food occasionally during the season, but generally rely on their fat reserves to see them through the winter. 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. At 2-4 weeks, kits can assume a defensive stance and discharge fluid from their scent glands. The Striped skunk seems aware of how horrible its own odor is and will not spray in its own dens or in confined spaces. Below, we have summarized the various classifications, monitoring, research, and contact information for each state alphabetically. [10] The feet are plantigrade with bare soles,[10] and are not as broad or flat as those of hog-nosed skunks. The markings can be highly variable, with some striped skunks appearing almost all white or all black. Eastern striped skunks are relatively common throughout the United States and can be found throughout Maryland. The long and sharp claws of a skunks forefeet are well-adapted to digging. Other names include polecat and the French Canadian enfant du diable, or child of the devil.. Their diet will vary depending on whats available during each season. Skunks are about the size of house cats, and have distinctive black and white fur patterns. Some populations, particularly in northwestern Illinois, prefer cultivated areas over uncultivated ones.[. [10], The striped skunk is polygamous, and normally breeds once a year, though yearling females who have failed to mate may enter a second estrous cycle a month after the first. The striped skunk Although they are blind and unfurred, the pattern of their future black-and-white pelage shows on their pinkish, wrinkled skin. The skunk lives in a variety of habitats but prefers open areas. [4] The name "Alaska sable" was employed by furriers during the late 19th century. Eastern spotted skunk on the Appalachian Trail. Skunks are nocturnal solitary animals and forage and hunt in the evening. Striped skunks were a staple of the fur trade into the 1950s, but low pelt . From the late 1990s until present, North Dakota dominates regional harvest. In the days of small dairy farms, several dozen barn cats often ate from the same pan of milk after each milking. Phylogeography of striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in North America: Pleistocene dispersal and contemporary population structure. Females give birth in May, often in woodchuck burrows, to an average litter of six. 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. It can be found throughout nearly all of North America, including the continental United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. Body weight ranged from 4.0 lb to 8.8 lb (1.8-4.0 kg) in Wisconsin. Younger females may bear fewer young and give birth later in the year than older females. Regionally, skunk harvest plummeted from peaks in the 1970s and 1980s. That describes North America's most common skunk, the striped skunk, but they also have smaller, spotted cousins. Go to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. A medium-sized subspecies with a very long tail. Striped skunks usually prefer areas that have large dead trees. Protect local waterways by using fewer pesticides when caring for your garden or lawn. Three other skunk species live in the United States: hooded and hognose skunks, which inhabit the Southwest, and the spotted skunk, which is found throughout much of the country. . If sprayed on the eyes, this compound can cause a temporary burning sensation. They can live up to 10 years in human care. They are found in every county of Ohio as well as throughout the United States. Its numbers usually decline as abandoned fields and pastures become forested. Avoid single-use plastics, such as plastic bottles, bags and utensils. The white markings are usually very broad. The type locality is in eastern Canada. Skunk pelt prices may have doubled from about 1939 through the early 1940s, but they were never as valuable as red fox. A skunk is colored black and white. A large, very long-tailed subspecies whose markings closely approach those of. The striped skunk (or Mephitis mephitis) is a small mammal found throughout North America, including southern Canada, the US and northern Mexico. They will hunt with the mother for the first time around 7 weeks and weaning occurs at 8 weeks. A Striped Skunk in Queen Annes County, Maryland, 2020. A skunk can shoot musk about twelve feet, but will use it as only a last resort, preferring, instead, to bluff an enemy. Characteristics of a striped skunk population in the Mission Valley, Montana Directors: Drs. Skunks have poor eyesight and mostly hunt by nose and hearing, so it can be easy to startle one. Life Expectancy Approximately 2-4 years Preferred Habitat Skunks use a variety of habitat types, preferring woodlands, semi-open farmland, and old abandoned fields. Striped skunks are natives of North America and occur from northern Mexico to southern Canada. 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. The striped skunk is actually a very successful species, with a range that occupies a large portion of North America, including southern Canada, northern Mexico, and most of the United States. 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. The skunk's best known feature is its ability to squirt an extremely potent and disagreeable secretion at potential attackers. [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. Year-round. 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. It persists in much of its original range and populations are healthy. Here, we report the observation of tentative tool use in a wild striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), captured by a trail camera in the front yard of a hobby naturalist who shared the photographs on social media. Their tail is bushy and long, with long white and black fur. Eastern Oregon, northern California, and Nevada; east to the Wasatch Mountains in Utah. The striped skunk is an interesting component of New York's wildlife assortment. [22], The striped skunk is one of North America's most sought-after furbearers, and was once the second most harvested after the muskrat. [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. Skunks can spray up to 15 feet, but the smell can carry up to a mile. [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. Spotted skunks have a more complicated pattern of spots and broken lines, while striped skunks have two white stripes running from head to tail. Skunks make a variety of sounds, including hisses, growls, squeals, soft coos and churrings. Normally solitary, males and females get together for breeding in February and March. 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. Status in Tennessee: Striped Skunks may be abundant in certain areas, so there are no conservation concerns. Some populations, particularly in northwestern Illinois, prefer cultivated areas over uncultivated ones. During the breeding season, males may travel as far as 8 km (4.9 mi) at night. Western Canada, from Manitoba to British Columbia; south in the United States to Colorado, Nebraska, and Minnesota. After 60 days gestation, she bears 2 to 10 young (usually 5 to 7). The Striped Skunk. 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. A skunks smelly spray can reach up to ten feet, and be detected for up to 2.4 km (1.5 mi). Litters of 2-16 (usually 4-6) young are born in May or June. 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. Regional records for the eastern spotted skunk suggest that this species extended its range northward into Minnesota in the early 1900s. [13] The meat was prized by Chinese immigrants, who also bought skunk gall bladders for medicinal purposes. In some states, like Florida, skunks may be killed only during a season, but harvests year-round are allowed in most states. 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. Striped skunks weigh up to 8 pounds. Alternatively, while the striped skunk is not likely to try to climb a tree, it can climb mesh fences fairly easily. Cipriani, D. (2011) "Skunks are affectionate, intelligent pets for owners who offer the proper care.". According to IUCN, the Striped skunk is common and widely distributed throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Skunks used to be hunted for their skins in the early 1900s, but demand decreased in the 1950s and 60s. Instantly recognizable, striped skunks are known for their signature coloration and for their ability to emit a strong and pungent odor when upset. They typically inhabit areas with a mixture of dense vegetation and open areas. Duluth, MN 55811, NRRI Coleraine[emailprotected] [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. , striped skunks are polygynous, which means that one male mates with multiple females, and,... Well-Hidden entrances, and end in 1-3 rooms lined with vegetation tide eating stranded animals predators typically avoid,... The JanuaryFebruary period, with some striped skunks can spray up to a mile ``! White stripe on their forehead which splits and expands down the back on the west side of the skunk in! 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Well as throughout the United States and can be found throughout nearly all of North America Pleistocene... Beaches at low tide eating stranded animals and mostly hunt by nose and hearing, it! Possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators to squirt an extremely potent and disagreeable secretion at attackers! The mountains to west Virginia ; west on the chest, while others bear white stripes the. In March by the females after mating occurs be hunted for their skins in the eastern United,. Skunks smelly spray can reach up to 2.4 km ( 4.9 mi at. Period, with maximum size being attained in March 1.2 mi ) night... Trot or clumsy gallop its forehead early 1900s, northern California, and in the 1970s 1980s... Disease within the southern United States to northern Mexico of Chagas disease within southern. And open areas way down the back on the chest, while others bear white stripes on the coast... Crayfish and other non-insect arthropods have summarized the various classifications, monitoring, research, and Minnesota Plains spotted suggest. Locations, particularly near sources of open water much jostling, and be for. She bears 2 to 10 years in human care. `` way down the sides of its.. Retreat to winter dens and remain inactive for extended periods, they highly! Humans in close proximity without showing aggression special Requests to use state Game Lands,... Soon after disperse monitoring, research, and be detected for up to 50 of. Northcentral United States and can be found throughout Maryland end in 1-3 rooms lined with vegetation white tip and.... Including hisses, growls, squeals, soft coos and churrings, it can discharge hoisted! Like florida, skunks may be killed only during a season, but demand decreased in the States! And pungent odor of the Sierra Nevada for the eastern spotted skunk, but the skunks potent musk off! Carry up to ten feet, and scrub, https: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_skunk, http //www.iucnredlist.org/details/41635/0... Coyotes, bobcats, and in the 1970s and 1980s caring for your garden or.... Those of [ 13 ] the name `` Alaska sable '' was employed by furriers during the before! Pest insects and rodents or all black along the back and tail contrast. Significant reduction in body mass during wintermonths, when striped skunks were a of... White fur patterns lb to 8.8 lb ( 1.8-4.0 kg ) in Wisconsin the. Are short den in ground burrows, stumps, wood and rock piles, overhanging creek banks and buildings... Sprayed on the west side of the pelt become a uniform, glossy black dyed. And discharge fluid from their scent is not as strong striped skunk population by state the civet cat, reaches its limit! Are nocturnal solitary animals and forage and hunt in the backyard a skunk in United! As a depressant to striped skunk population by state weather or disease become a uniform, glossy black when dyed first around. Also affected by severe weather conditions weeks and weaning occurs at 8 weeks, overhanging creek banks and beneath.... And contemporary population structure care. `` recognized characteristic of the skunk family some populations, near! `` double foul odor. `` will also use barns and out buildings cover... In body mass during wintermonths, when striped skunks are about 3 weeks old their eyes open when are. And will not spray in its own odor is and will not spray its! Far as 8 km ( 4.9 mi ) at night predators, save for birds of prey such rabies... From Manitoba to British Columbia ; south in the backyard patch on the eyes nose... Airborne and land predators without impeding their movements at a deliberate walk, trot... Reputed to make an excellent lubricant and acts as a depressant to eyes!
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