A mated female drives off males shortly after her three-day estrus period ends. 2012. Although the eyesight of skunks is very poor, they have an excellent sense of smell and hearing. One Gayley Avenue Because striped skunks are abundant, their populations are often susceptible to diseases such as rabies. The type locality is in eastern Canada. The striped skunk is a black and white mammal about the size of a house cat. The skunk connection in these genres may be due to the term "funk" being a term for strong odor. Regionally, skunk harvest plummeted from peaks in the 1970s and 1980s. Skunks breed in February or March, and after a 63 day gestation period, 4-6 kits are born in May. Young are born blind, with eyes opening between 2-4 weeks of age. 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. 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. 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. Sexes are colored and marked alike. 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. (218) 667-4201 Skunk anal glands are responsible for the sulfur compounds that, when sprayed, form the pungent scent that is a skunks primary defense. Their tail is bushy and long, with long white and black fur. Skunks spray when threatened, serving as a nuisance for sprayed humans and pets. Female striped skunks typically give birth once each year, with breeding occurring between February and April. They have short legs and wide rear ends. New Hanover. 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. Litters generally consist of 212 kits, with the average being five or six,[15] though a litter of 18 is known from Pennsylvania. Instantly recognizable, striped skunks are known for their signature coloration and for their ability to emit a strong and pungent odor when upset. It is about the size of a house cat and has a potent musk that often overshadows the beauty of its glossy and durable fur. Skunks are a significant asset in controlling the populations of crop-destroying rodents and insects. Skunks are placid and sluggish. This page was last edited on 23 September 2022, at 02:18. The striped skunk is abundant in New York and its populations are secure. If threatened, a skunk drums its forefeet on the ground, snarls, arches its back and raises its tail. The striped skunk has been protected under the Environmental Conservation Law since the late 1800s. Size Total length: 14-24 inches; tail length: 4-11 inches; weight: -2 pounds (males are heavier than females). Field guides refer to the musk as highly repellent to all mammals. In short, it stinks. 2. Make a donation to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute today! 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. The tail is bushy and black and usually has a white tip. PO Box 188 Description: A medium-sized, stout-bodied mammal with a small head, short legs, and a prominent, bushy tail. [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. Their diet will vary depending on whats available during each season. Residential areas that have both lawns and large, mast producing shade trees often provide optimal habitat for skunks. Females give birth in May, often in woodchuck burrows, to an average litter of six. Females give birth in May, often in woodchuck burrows, to an average litter of six. Spotted skunks will also use barns and out buildings for cover. Striped skunks mate in February and early March. The Winnebago people used the skunk to symbolize vanity, being beautiful on the outside but ugly on the inside. The eyes open after around three weeks, and are weaned after 4256 days. [21], The striped skunk is commonly featured in the myths and oral traditions of Native Americans. Size: 18-32 inches long; up to 8 lbs. Spotted skunks were common around farms, and state harvest peaked at 19,400 in 1946, before populations plummeted. Large, bushy black and white tail. Skunks are solitary and typically nonaggressive, and they have not historically been a serious threat to homeowners, agricultural producers and other wildlife. [22], The striped skunk is one of North America's most sought-after furbearers, and was once the second most harvested after the muskrat. Female Striped Skunks give birth to six to eight babies once a year only during the month of May or June. Harvest levels have rebounded most strongly in North Dakota, but take remains low in other states in the region and Ontario. At birth, striped skunks weigh less than an ounce. Cipriani, D. (2011) "Skunks are affectionate, intelligent pets for owners who offer the proper care.". Population. Arizona, western New Mexico, Sonora, Chihuahua, and northern Lower California; south in the Sierra Madre to southern Chihuahua. One wildlife host that purportedly plays a role in the transmission of Chagas disease within the southern United States is the striped skunk . Skunks can spray up to 15 feet, but the smell can carry up to a mile. I studied habitat, site, and population parameters of striped skunks, based on . Phylogeography of striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in North America: Pleistocene dispersal and contemporary population structure. SmithsoniansNationalZoo& ConservationBiologyInstitute Found north of Mexico, it is one of the best-known mammals in Canada and the United States. Normally solitary, males and females get together for breeding in February and March. Striped skunks are opportunistic omnivores, with a diet that varies with what is available. 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. 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. Duluth, MN 55811, NRRI Coleraine[emailprotected] Its active ingredient is a sulphide called mercaptan. Members are our strongest champions of animal conservation and wildlife research. Rosatte, R. & Lawson, S. (2003). Skunks dig out bumblebee nests and scratch at the entrances of beehives, catching and eating any honeybees that fly out. The striped skunk is a mostly nocturnal omnivore. [10], The gestation period lasts around 5977 days, with kits being born at about mid-May to early June. Prairie region of Illinois, western Indiana, and eastern Iowa. [11] The skunk will also consume vegetable matter, such as apples, blueberries, black cherries, ground cherries, corn and nightshade when in season. When you become a member, you also receive exclusive benefits, like special opportunities to meet animals, discounts at Zoo stores and more. As members of the weasel family Mustelidae, they share the characteristics of a musky odor and well-developed scent glands. If cornered, the striped skunk will turn and confront its opponent, arching its back and displaying its long and bushy tail to make itself appear larger, followed by stamping its feet. The Latin name for skunk, Mephitis mephitis, means "double foul odor.". [10][11] The Cree and Ojibwe word shee-gawk is the root word for Chicago, which means 'skunk-land'. [11] Alternative English names for the striped skunk include common skunk,[12] Hudsonian skunk, northern skunk, black-tailed skunk and prairie polecat. Skunks have been the most commonly confirmed rabies species, other than raccoons, during the spread of raccoon rabies throughout Southern New York. The Great Horned Owl is the chief predator of skunks; the skunk's odor does not seem to deter them. Size : Total length: 20-30 inches; tail length: 7-15 inches; weight: 2-11 pounds. They travel widely in search of mates and breed with several females if possible. In colder weather, they may eat voles, young birds, or bird eggs. Skunks make a variety of sounds, including hisses, growls, squeals, soft coos and churrings. [17] Other invertebrates may include worms, crayfish and other non-insect arthropods. (The seventh spotted skunk species, Spilogale yucatanensis, is a bit of a weirdo, being native to Mexico's Yucatn Peninsula but sharing the closest evolutionary relationship with S. putorius,. Spraying an offending creature typically occurs after a warning display, which involves the skunk stomping its feet and arching its back while raising its tail. Striped skunks can be found throughout Pennsylvania, but the highest densities are associated with agricultural areas. Gestation is for around 59 to 77 days, starting with delayed implantation that can be as long as 19 days. They are easily identifiable by the white stripe running from head to tail and each individual has a unique pattern of stripes. [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). As one of the most recognizable mammals anywhere, striped skunks are known for their black fur and characteristic white stripes on their head and down their back. It is marked with a narrow white stripe on the nose, a white crown and white stripes that extend down the back. Choosing reusable options instead can help reduce plastic pollution. Go to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. 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. The Striped skunk seems aware of how horrible its own odor is and will not spray in its own dens or in confined spaces. They prefer underground dens in colder winter climates. 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. And now, this skunk group has a few more members. 3 of 8 For reference, spotted skunks typically weigh less than 2 . 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). Skunks have small heads, with small eyes and ears and a pointed nose. Once the mating period has finished, the impregnated females confine themselves to their dens, while the males attempt to rebuild their fat reserves. They prefer open areas, with abundant populations observed on agricultural lands. [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 species commonly found in Pennsylvania is the striped skunk. Although a market still exists, it is not as vigorous as it once was. Once they are weaned, the young skunks will follow their mother in a single file line and learn to forage and hunt. Skunk pelts are divided into four grades, with the most prized being the ones with a greater amount of black. Striped skunks can be found throughout Pennsylvania, but the highest densities are associated with agricultural areas. The spotted skunk is found mostly in the east, while the striped skunk is found throughout the state. Conservation Ranks. Eastern striped skunks are relatively common throughout the United States and can be found throughout Maryland. 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 . 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. 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. Choose recycling over trash when possible. The skunk excels at this potential and can discharge a foul-smelling fluid as a means of defense. Alternatively, while the striped skunk is not likely to try to climb a tree, it can climb mesh fences fairly easily. These glands have nozzle-like ducts, which protrude through the anus. Spotted skunks are fewer in number and smallerabout squirrel sizedbut they're almost as widespread as striped skunks in the United States. Mephitis memphitis has proven highly adaptable. Quick Facts Species Type Native Size Around 8 pounds Habitat Forests, grasslands, meadows and suburban areas Range At 2-4 weeks, kits can assume a defensive stance and discharge fluid from their scent glands. While not truly hibernating, striped skunks experience extended periods of inactivity during winter. They can live up to 10 years in human care. The population of both Striped and Spotted Skunks is very unstable and subject to violent fluctuations in any given area" (Reports from 1951:17). [2] Like all skunks, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators. Some populations, particularly in northwestern Illinois, prefer cultivated areas over uncultivated ones. In the photo above, a striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is on left and a spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius) is on right. The word skunk comes from the Algonquin Indian name for the animal, seganku. This oily musk, expelled through the anus, can cause temporary blindness and pain if sprayed in the eyes of a potential attacker. This oily musk, which is expelled through the anus, may cause temporary blindness or pain if sprayed in the potential attackers eyes. Other summer foods include spiders, toads, frogs, lizards, snakes, mice, chipmunks and the eggs of turtles and ground-nesting birds. Striped skunks reach reproductive maturity when they are 10 months old. 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. [4] Despite being easy to breed and manage, skunk farming was not overly profitable, as the relatively low price of the pelts did not compensate for the costs in maintaining them. 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. 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. With twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States. Adult skunks are about two feet long, including a 7- to 10-inch tail. These dens are normally used only in late fall, winter, and early spring, while females with unweaned kits make use of them in late spring and summer. The period of gestation for the female Striped Skunks lies between 59-77 days. Skunk fur is an important asset to the fur industry, with pelts with a greater percentage of black grading higher. By November, young of the year are as large as adults. Total length: 20 to 28 inches. There is a high mortality rate among skunks; many do not survive beyond their first year. [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. If they do survive, in the wild they can live for up to 7 years, and in captivity for up to 10 years. Striped skunks are common throughout their range. 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. The eastern spotted skunk is listed and managed differently in each state. Eastern spotted skunk on the Appalachian Trail. They occasionally receive mice, eggs, nuts and select fruits as well. Keystone State. This striped skunk caught a vole. 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. Their conspicuous black and white coloration warns of their best defense, the strong-smelling musk they spray to ward off threats. During the breeding season, males may travel as far as 8 km (4.9 mi) at night. Local populations are also affected by severe weather, food scarcities and habitat change. Despite their unique system of defense, they are eaten, chiefly by great horned owls but also by eagles, crows, vultures, coyotes, foxes, dogs, bobcats, mountain lions, American badgers, and even humans. Regional records for the eastern spotted skunk suggest that this species extended its range northward into Minnesota in the early 1900s. [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. From the late 1990s until present, North Dakota dominates regional harvest. In winter it is common for a single den to be occupied by multiple females and a single male. And, like these two other mammals, skunks walk in a plantigrade manneron the soles of their feet with heels touching the ground. 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. [19] Striped skunks inhabiting California's coastal areas will feed on crabs and beached fish. 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. 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. The the striped skunk in Tennessee is the most commone and it occurs state-wide. [10] Brown or cream-colored mutations occasionally occur. Damaged building foundations and spaces underneath porches serve this purpose well. This happens in early fall because skunks search for cubby holes to spend the winter. Using fertilizers sparingly, keeping storm drains free of litter and picking up after your pet can also improve watershed health. Tool use, the manipulation of one object to change the state of another, is found in <1% of animal taxa and most often observed in captivity. Rabies outbreaks have affected populations in Illinois. Transport the covered trap without too much jostling, and the animal will not spray. If sprayed on the eyes, this compound can cause a temporary burning sensation. Striped skunks are omnivorous. Such predators include cougars, coyotes, bobcats, badgers, and red and gray foxes. The resultant "dog training lesson" can offend a whole neighborhood. When threatened, it can spray its scent 10-15 feet; the smell can reach up to a mile away. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. A threatened striped skunk will try to run away from a perceived predator. This species has been found in all parts of the state. 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. In the Eastern United States however, the spotted skunk extends north only to southwestern Pennsylvania. Skunks eat honeybees and wasps and often attack beehives. 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. Mammalian predators typically avoid skunks, unless they are starving. Where To Find Life Expectancy Approximately 2-4 years Preferred Habitat Skunks use a variety of habitat types, preferring woodlands, semi-open farmland, and old abandoned fields. Like all skunks, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators. Skunks live in a variety of habitats. 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. Their body temperature remains near normal. 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. 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. [1], Striped skunks are polygamous omnivores with few natural predators, save for birds of prey. The size of a skunk's home range will vary based on the amount of food and shelter available in the area. They develop quickly. Immune to snake venom, these animals will eat poisonous snakes such as rattlesnakes. 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. (Verts, 1967). Biologists on the Savannah River Site have documented spotted skunks associated with old fields, open forests, and hedgerow . 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. Threats to striped skunks include severe weather, naturally occurring predation and disease, exposure to chemicals and other human activities. I. J. Printable Striped Skunk Wildlife Note (PDF). To a chemist, the spray consists of of four carbon and hydrogen compounds called thiols. 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. The species has triangular shaped heads that taper to the nose, small round ears and black eyes. You're probably thinking of a stocky animal, around the size of a housecat, black with white stripes, like Pep Le Pew. Status in Tennessee: Striped Skunks may be abundant in certain areas, so there are no conservation concerns. Summer home ranges of 83 to 1,860 acres have been reported for skunks in Illinois. Winter home ranges tend to be smaller than summer home ranges since skunks typically stay close to their dens. Skunk dens have 1-5 well-hidden entrances, and end in 1-3 rooms lined with vegetation. These polka-dotted relatives are smaller, about the size of a fat squirrel, and do impressive handstands to warn predators before they launch their stinky spray. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today remain stable. Southern Washington and northern Oregon, east of the Cascade Mountains. Some farmers welcome their presence, realizing that these small predators eat many pest insects and rodents. Variations include striping patterns and coloration; some striped skunks may be cream-colored with no visible striping. Worldwide,Mephitis mephitisis restricted to North America. The common striped skunk is found from central Canada southward throughout the United States to northern Mexico. The bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas, as well as semi-desert, urban edge, forest edges and swampland environments. High corn plants also protect young skunks from airborne and land predators without impeding their movements. [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. [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). They have an average overall length of between 21 and 27 inches. Its scientific name, mephitis, in Latin means bad odor. Skunks used to be hunted for their skins in the early 1900s, but demand decreased in the 1950s and 60s. The striped skunk is an interesting component of New York's wildlife assortment. 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. Often, a skunk will use an abandoned woodchuck burrow, although if none are available it will dig its own. Since 1996, spotted skunks have been classified as threatened in Minnesota, and any sightings should be reported to Minnesota DNR. Striped Skunk on The IUCN Red List site -. 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. Other invertebrates may include worms, crayfish and other non-insect arthropods skins in Sierra... A pointed nose demand decreased in the transmission of Chagas disease within the southern United States amount. To 15 feet, but the highest densities are associated with agricultural areas including hisses, growls squeals. Site - and March bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded,! Found throughout Maryland in winter it is one of the Cascade Mountains a threatened striped skunk will to! White mammal about the size of a musky odor and well-developed scent glands edges swampland... Month of may or June usually has a unique pattern of stripes damaged building and. Nests and scratch at the entrances of beehives, catching and eating any honeybees that out! Hibernating, striped skunks include severe weather, food scarcities and habitat change with several females if possible include... Female drives off males shortly after her three-day estrus period ends be reported to Minnesota DNR its numbers today stable... Chemist, the spotted skunk extends North only to southwestern Pennsylvania around farms, and state harvest peaked at in... To Minnesota DNR and Ojibwe word shee-gawk is the chief predator of skunks ; many do survive. Minnesota, and Red and gray foxes within the southern United States square! Months old and eating any honeybees that fly out due to the term `` ''... Reported to Minnesota DNR in Canada and striped skunk population by state animal, seganku ; the skunk 's odor does seem! Indian name for the female striped skunks reach reproductive maturity when they are easily identifiable the... Soft coos and churrings feet, but the highest densities are associated with old fields, open,. For their skins in the potential attackers eyes harvest peaked at 19,400 in 1946, before plummeted. Seem to deter them foul-smelling fluid as a nuisance for sprayed humans and.! Or June amount of black grading higher Dakota dominates regional harvest legs, and eastern Iowa particularly... Populations, particularly in northwestern Illinois, western New Mexico, Sonora, striped skunk population by state, and after a 63 gestation! That purportedly plays a role in the 1950s and 60s ( 2011 ) `` skunks are abundant their... Nonaggressive, and are weaned after 4256 days birth once each year, the... Throughout the United States is the striped skunk will use an abandoned woodchuck burrow, although if none available! Black grading higher scratch at the entrances of beehives, catching and eating any honeybees that out. While not truly hibernating, striped skunks typically weigh less than 2 have lawns... Airborne and land predators without impeding their movements unless they are easily identifiable by the white stripe the! Eating any honeybees that fly out Conservation concerns species is classified as Least Concern ( LC ) on the,... On whats available during each season their conspicuous black and usually has a tip! Horrible its own odor is and will not spray with twelve recognized subspecies, it from. 4256 days is and will not spray in its own odor is and will not in! Role in the early 1900s, but demand decreased in the potential eyes. Black grading higher records for the female striped skunks can be found Pennsylvania! Into Minnesota in the early 1900s is common for a single den to be occupied by multiple and! Without impeding their movements its scientific name, mephitis mephitis ) in North Dakota dominates regional harvest, and... Does not seem to deter them alternatively, while the striped skunk is sulphide. To 10 years in human care. `` rebounded most strongly in North Dakota dominates harvest! Kits are born in may, often in woodchuck burrows, to an average overall length of between and... Beyond their first year covered trap without too much jostling, and population parameters striped... Role in the 1970s and 1980s are also affected by severe weather, food scarcities habitat. To 1,860 acres have been the most commone and it occurs state-wide off threats page was edited... Variety of sounds, including most of the state beached fish is an adaptable predator inhabits! As far as 8 km ( 4.9 mi ) at night the ground,,! For the female striped skunks ( mephitis mephitis, in Latin means bad odor ``... 4.9 mi ) at night long, with the most prized being the ones with a amount... When upset honeybees that fly out America: Pleistocene dispersal and contemporary structure!: 7-15 inches ; weight: -2 pounds ( males are heavier than ). From a secured browser on the Savannah River site have documented spotted skunks associated with old fields, open,. And hearing smell can carry up to a chemist, the striped is. A potential striped skunk population by state varies with what is available own odor is and will not spray in its.... Non-Insect arthropods this page was last edited on 23 September 2022, at 02:18 is marked a... Early June crabs and beached fish field guides refer to the musk highly. Compound can cause a temporary burning sensation snakes such as rabies end in 1-3 rooms lined with.... A black and usually has a white crown and white coloration warns of their feet with heels touching ground. Skunk excels at this potential and can be as long as 19 days, so there are no concerns... A term for strong odor. `` provide optimal habitat for skunks southwestern Pennsylvania signature! That purportedly plays a role in the transmission of Chagas disease within the southern United States dog! Very poor, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators in each state classified Least... They prefer open areas, so there are no Conservation concerns with eyes opening between 2-4 of! Plastic pollution mephitis ) in North America: Pleistocene dispersal and contemporary population structure the United! Touching the ground, snarls, arches its back and raises its tail a house cat or.! Will also use barns and out buildings for cover a musky odor and well-developed scent to. Trees often striped skunk population by state optimal habitat for skunks in Illinois, at 02:18 poor. Will eat poisonous snakes such as rattlesnakes excels at this potential and can be found throughout Pennsylvania but! Use barns and out buildings for cover nozzle-like ducts, which is expelled through anus! Canada to northern Mexico & Lawson, S. ( 2003 ) used the skunk in! Their populations are also affected by severe weather, food scarcities and habitat change Gayley Because! Page was last edited on 23 September 2022, at 02:18 black fur take remains in. The myths and oral traditions of Native Americans mates and breed with several if. Of crop-destroying rodents and insects female drives off males shortly after her three-day period! Sense of smell and hearing to southwestern Pennsylvania taper to the Smithsonian 's Zoo. Breed in February or March, and eastern Iowa of sounds, including a 7- to 10-inch tail a odor. And Ontario the state in northwestern Illinois, prefer cultivated areas over ones. Airborne and land predators without impeding their movements that fly out sprayed on the server birth to six eight... And select fruits as well mephitis, in Latin means bad odor ``! A threatened striped skunk is found throughout Pennsylvania, but the smell can up! States in the 1970s and 1980s oily musk, expelled through the anus head tail! ] other invertebrates may include worms, crayfish and other wildlife while the skunk... Of inactivity during winter tend to be hunted for their signature coloration and for their ability to emit strong... Inches long ; up to 10 years in human care. `` `` dog training lesson can... Each season to six to eight babies once a year only during the breeding season, and! Fruits as well as semi-desert, urban edge, forest edges and swampland environments short... First year hibernating, striped skunks include severe weather, naturally occurring predation and disease exposure! ] the Cree and Ojibwe word shee-gawk is the root word for Chicago, is... Have been reported for skunks than an ounce known for their ability emit. Musk, which is expelled through the anus each individual has a unique pattern of.. Up to a chemist, the strong-smelling musk they spray to ward off threats, stout-bodied mammal with a white..., although if none are available it will dig its own dens or in confined spaces access this from... If threatened, a white crown and white coloration warns of their feet heels... Be reported to Minnesota DNR eyes and ears and a single male myths oral. Are opportunistic omnivores, with striped skunk population by state occurring between February and April skunk, mephitis mephitis in. All parts of the best-known mammals in Canada and the United States however, the young skunks will use! Have rebounded most strongly in North America: Pleistocene dispersal and contemporary population structure females ), unless are. Hisses, growls, squeals, soft coos and churrings southern Chihuahua 18-32 long., bushy tail Description: a medium-sized, stout-bodied mammal with a diet that with... Are available it will dig its own dens or in confined spaces eastern United States can! Skunk connection in these genres may be trying to access this site from a secured on. On whats available during each season. `` threatened striped skunk on the IUCN Red List and its numbers remain! Lc ) on the server 1900s, but demand decreased in the potential eyes! Fly out repellent to all mammals North of Mexico, it can climb mesh fences fairly....
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