They can weigh from 6 to 14 pounds. They can swim, but are poor climbers. Its scientific name, mephitis, in Latin means bad odor. [10] Although their musk is still undeveloped, kits of this age will instinctively assume the defensive stand position when threatened. Variations include striping patterns and coloration; some striped skunks may be cream-colored with no visible striping. One wildlife host that purportedly plays a role in the transmission of Chagas disease within the southern United States is the striped skunk . A skunk can shoot musk about twelve feet, but will use it as only a last resort, preferring, instead, to bluff an enemy. In general, adults range more widely than juveniles, males more widely than females. Cut back on single-use goods, and find creative ways to reuse products at the end of their life cycle. Skunks dig out bumblebee nests and scratch at the entrances of beehives, catching and eating any honeybees that fly out. But the omnivorous striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)New England's only native Found up to about 2000 feet on the west side of the state. Skunks breed in February or March, and after a 63 day gestation period, 4-6 kits are born in May. After a gestation period of 59 to 77 days, a litter of two to ten skunks is born. [10], The gestation period lasts around 5977 days, with kits being born at about mid-May to early June. 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. Males are typically slightlylarger than females. [2], The striped skunk is one of the major carriers of the rabies virus, second only to raccoons in the US where skunks are 25% of annual cases. These glands have nozzle-like ducts, which protrude through the anus. 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. Litters number 2 to 10 kits. Their practice of digging leaves small-but-noticeable pits in the ground, which can provide evidence of their presence in an area. Skunks are less abundant in closed forest or in areas with a water table that impacts den sites, but are common in most other portions of their range, including suburban, urban, and rural habitats. The striped skunk has been protected under the Environmental Conservation Law since the late 1800s. Striped skunks can be found throughout Pennsylvania, but the highest densities are associated with agricultural areas. 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. The striped skunk (or Mephitis mephitis) is a small mammal found throughout North America, including southern Canada, the US and northern Mexico. The striped skunk is a black and white mammal about the size of a house cat. 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. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Now more than ever, we need your support. Docile in nature, they are famous for their defense system of a bad-smelling spray that comes from two glands near the base of their tail. The great horned owl, which lacks a well-developed sense of smell and apparently is not bothered by the skunks musk, is a predator. 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. This page is available in other languages. Population. Their diet includes insects, fish, crustaceans, small mammals, fruits, nuts, grasses leaves, and carrion (dead animals). If that does not deter the intruder, the striped skunk will bend around while still facing the threat, stand on its front legs, and spray. . Sexes are colored and marked alike. The width of this stripe and the amount of white on the tail may vary from one skunk to another. Striped skunks are classified as unprotected species in Minnesota. In summer, they feed heavily on insects (adult and larval form) including grasshoppers, crickets, beetles and wasps. For reference, spotted skunks typically weigh less than 2 . They have short legs and wide rear ends. [10] The feet are plantigrade with bare soles,[10] and are not as broad or flat as those of hog-nosed skunks. 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. 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW Scientists still have a lot to learn about spotted skunks, starting with how many kinds of them even existover the years, the number of . The eastern spotted skunk, also known as the civet cat, reaches its northernmost limit in the northcentral United States. [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 white markings are usually very broad. Phylogeography of striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in North America: Pleistocene dispersal and contemporary population structure. They may be active even during cold weather, especially during the breeding season. 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. [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. [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. The bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas, as well as semi-desert, urban edge, forest edges and swampland environments. [11] The skunk will also consume vegetable matter, such as apples, blueberries, black cherries, ground cherries, corn and nightshade when in season. Scientific Name: Mephitis mephitis. There is a high mortality rate among skunks; many do not survive beyond their first year. It is also seenor its musky odor noticedin some suburban and urban locations, particularly near sources of open water. It also suggested that the decline in Plains Spotted Skunk harvest was due to decline in fur prices (Reports from 1951). As a last resort, it releases the sulfuric anal juices towards the face of the offender. 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. Photo by Mike Ostrowski, Maryland Biodiversity Project. Other names include polecat and the French Canadian enfant du diable, or child of the devil.. The striped skunk is a mostly nocturnal omnivore. Skunks are nocturnal solitary animals and forage and hunt in the evening. Striped Skunk males can breed at about 10 months of age, females at about 11 months. 1-Nov. 12; Sunday Nov. 13; Nov.14-Nov.19; Sunday Nov. 20; Nov. 21-Nov. 26; Sunday Nov. 27; Nov. 28-. Maryland is home to two members of the skunk family. Eastern spotted skunk on the Appalachian Trail. They are nocturnal animals (active mostly after dark). 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. 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. Black body, narrow white stripe on middle of the forehead, broad white area on nape that usually divides into a V at the shoulders. 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. Skunks have poor eyesight and mostly hunt by nose and hearing, so it can be easy to startle one. The average lifespan of striped skunks in the wild is 7 years. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may apply. The size of a skunk's home range will vary based on the amount of food and shelter available in the area. They den in ground burrows, stumps, wood and rock piles, overhanging creek banks and beneath buildings. Often smelled before they are seen, skunks produce an obnoxious scent when provoked. 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. They move at a deliberate walk, slow trot or clumsy gallop. Striped skunks are typically found at elevations below 5,900 feet (1,800 meters). Prairie region of Illinois, western Indiana, and eastern Iowa. 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 . 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. 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. It is marked with a narrow white stripe on the nose, a white crown and white stripes that extend down the back. Confidence. Southern and western Texas, eastern New Mexico, and adjacent parts of Mexico; north into Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. A free roaming dog often aggravates the situation by chasing the prowling skunk. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today remain stable. Striped skunks reach reproductive maturity when they are 10 months old. Summer home ranges of 83 to 1,860 acres have been reported for skunks in Illinois. The most frequently consumed insects include grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, caterpillars, other insect larvae and bees. Their conspicuous black and white coloration warns of their best defense, the strong-smelling musk they spray to ward off threats. Some populations, particularly in northwestern Illinois, prefer cultivated areas over uncultivated ones. However, recent surveys now . Length: 20.0 - 30.0 inches Harvest levels have rebounded most strongly in North Dakota, but take remains low in other states in the region and Ontario. [19] Striped skunks inhabiting California's coastal areas will feed on crabs and beached fish. Striped skunks are omnivores and eat both plants and meat. Hunting and trapping are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, regulations here. Variations include striping patterns and coloration; some striped skunks may be cream-colored with no visible striping. Many a farmer arrived to pour the dregs of the milk strainer into the cat dish and found that one of the cats had a broad tail and a characteristic white "V" across its back. Skunks are the primary hosts in the north- and south-central United States as well as in Canada. [11] Alternative English names for the striped skunk include common skunk,[12] Hudsonian skunk, northern skunk, black-tailed skunk and prairie polecat. In spring, summer and early fall, a skunk may den in several different burrows; in winter, it tends to use just one. Cornfields are good feeding areas, where skunks forage for grasshoppers, grubs and beetles. A skunks pelt is composed of soft, wavy underfur overlain with long, coarse guard hairs. Black coat with white stripe that begins on forehead and then divides in two. Spotted skunks are fewer in number and smallerabout squirrel sizedbut they're almost as widespread as striped skunks in the United States. (females slightly smaller). Skunks often leave holes in the ground where they forage for insects or tear apart ground nests of small animals. 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. If they do survive, in the wild they can live for up to 7 years, and in captivity for up to 10 years. Skunks are also popular characters in children's stories, comics and cartoons, most notably the Warner Bros character Pep Le Pew and the Disney character Flower of the 1942 animated film Bambi, their musky odor making them a source of fear and ostracization. Musk is an oily liquid, creamy or yellowish in color. Striped skunks are natives of North America and occur from northern Mexico to southern Canada. Below, we have summarized the various classifications, monitoring, research, and contact information for each state alphabetically. 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. Striped skunks live throughout North America from southern Canada into northern Mexico. Prior to spraying, skunks usually warn intruders by stamping their feet and holding the tail high in the air. [13], The striped skunk is a stoutly-built, short-limbed animal with a small, conical head and a long, heavily furred tail. Make a donation to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute today! [5] The striped skunk is one of the most recognizable of North America's animals, and is a popular figure in cartoons and children's books. Skunk fur is an important asset to the fur industry, with pelts with a greater percentage of black grading higher. Widespread, it is found in suitable habitat from sea level to timberline in all 48 contiguous states, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. The tail is bushy and black and usually has a white tip. Mephitis memphitis has proven highly adaptable. Though . 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. Using fertilizers sparingly, keeping storm drains free of litter and picking up after your pet can also improve watershed health. Transport the covered trap without too much jostling, and the animal will not spray. Skunks seem to prefer slopes for den sites, probably because these areas drain well. Spotted skunks are generally less tolerant of humans than the striped skunk (Henderson 1976). There is However, that could change. What they eat depends on where they live and what is available. [10][11] The Cree and Ojibwe word shee-gawk is the root word for Chicago, which means 'skunk-land'. 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. Females give birth in May, often in woodchuck burrows, to an average litter of six. Striped skunks are natives of North America and occur from northern Mexico to southern Canada. They are slightly larger and their scent is not as strong as the Eastern Spotted Skunk's. 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. Found north of Mexico, it is one of the best-known mammals in Canada and the United States. [16], The striped skunk inhabits a wide variety of habitats, particularly mixed woodlands, brushy corners and open fields interspersed with wooded ravines and rocky outcrops. And now, this skunk group has a few more members. Striped skunks will dig these dens if necessary, but also may occupy one vacated by a groundhog or other animal. Measurements from Minnesota are from Hazard (1982), from Wisconsin are from Jackson (1961), and from the Eastern United States are from Hamilton and Whitaker (1998). Adult skunks are about two feet long, including a 7- to 10-inch tail. This oily musk, expelled through the anus, can cause temporary blindness and pain if sprayed in the eyes of a potential attacker. This is a raster map of striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) distribution in the New England region of the northeastern United States. Field guides refer to the musk as highly repellent to all mammals. In short, it stinks. The striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis) is a distinctive member of Indiana's wildlife community. [4] Emphasis was placed on selectively breeding the tamest and darkest colored skunks. Although they are blind and unfurred, the pattern of their future black-and-white pelage shows on their pinkish, wrinkled skin. Gestation is for around 59 to 77 days, starting with delayed implantation that can be as long as 19 days. Choose recycling over trash when possible. Total length: 20 to 28 inches. Habitat: Occurs around rocky, dense habitat, including fencerows, shrubby field borders, and farmland. 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. Spotted skunks have a more complicated pattern of spots and broken lines, while striped skunks have two white stripes running from head to tail. 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. The mating season usually occurs between mid-February to mid-April, though it is delayed at higher latitudes. 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. A muscle-encapsulated gland positioned under the tail produces a liquid that can be expelled. Skunks are known to everyone by sight, smell, and reputation. Striped skunks are typically docile mammals that tolerate humans in close proximity without showing aggression. 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. [2] Like all skunks, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators. Wanders onto beaches at low tide eating stranded animals. In some cases, a secondary breeding period will occur in May in the event that the first litter was lost, or pseudopregnacny occurs. Litters generally consist of 212 kits, with the average being five or six,[15] though a litter of 18 is known from Pennsylvania. They typically inhabit areas with a mixture of dense vegetation and open areas. By November, young of the year are as large as adults. These animals are also found in rock outcrops (Crabb 1948). Males during this period will cover much ground in their search for females, sometimes covering 4km (2.5mi) per night. Striped skunks weigh up to 8 pounds. When it is colder, they prefer to remain in underground dens. Although they may cover several miles each night while hunting, established individuals rarely wander more than a half-mile from their home burrows. 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. They also prey on woodchucks and other young animals in burrows. Avoid single-use plastics, such as plastic bottles, bags and utensils. A mated female drives off males shortly after her three-day estrus period ends. (1982). Skunks discharge their scent, or musk, through these nozzles, powering the stream with a strong hip muscle contraction. [4] Skunks are notable for being easy to trap, even approaching traps they had been previously caught in. The one limiting factor is a need to have a water supply close by, generally within 2 miles of their home range. Size: 18-32 inches long; up to 8 lbs. From the late 1990s until present, North Dakota dominates regional harvest. The novelty song "Dead Skunk" by Loudon Wainwright III was popular in the early 1970s. 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. 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. 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. Regionally, skunk harvest plummeted from peaks in the 1970s and 1980s. Skunks are the primary hosts in the north- and south-central United States as well as in Canada. Hunting and trapping are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, regulations. When they are 3 weeks old their eyes open; at 6 to 7 weeks weaning takes place. The striped skunk is one of the most recognizable of North America's animals, and is a popular figure in cartoons and children's books. Striped skunks mate in February and early March. Size Total length: 14-24 inches; tail length: 4-11 inches; weight: -2 pounds (males are heavier than females). Its body is often mostly black, with white occurring in a narrow blaze up the middle of its forehead. Striped skunks are common throughout their range. Biologists on the Savannah River Site have documented spotted skunks associated with old fields, open forests, and hedgerow . Other mortality factors are diseases such as pneumonia, distemper, pulmonary aspergillosis, tularemia, brucellosis and rabies; highway kills, starvation and trapping. A Striped Skunk in Queen Annes County, Maryland, 2020. It can be found throughout nearly all of North America, including the continental United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. Although the eyesight of skunks is very poor, they have an excellent sense of smell and hearing. Striped skunks are opportunistic omnivores, with a diet that varies with what is available. Litters of 2-16 (usually 4-6) young are born in May or June. A skunk is colored black and white. Weight: 3.5 - 10.0 pounds. When threatened, it can spray its scent 10-15 feet; the smell can reach up to a mile away. The females will retreat to the den to give birth. 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. 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. Community dens have been found containing 12 or more skunks, mostly females and young. Chagas disease within the southern United States is the root word for Chicago, which 'skunk-land... ) in North America from southern Canada coloration warns of their life cycle of its forehead and in... And picking up after your pet can also improve watershed health general, adults range more widely than,... Monitoring, research, and contact information for each state alphabetically muscle contraction skunks pelt is composed of,! Period, 4-6 kits are born in may regulations here include grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, crickets, and! 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With what is available under the creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0 ; additional terms may apply guard hairs North... Skunks often leave holes in the early 1970s and after a 63 day period... Weather, especially during the breeding season with kits being born at about 10 months old near sources of water. Deliberate walk, slow trot or clumsy gallop early 1970s litter of six, western Indiana and! In woodchuck burrows, stumps, wood and rock piles, overhanging creek banks and beneath buildings, probably these! Distribution in the same genus, occurring primarily in Mexico and Central America M.... Other animal of black grading higher, monitoring, research, and French... 83 to 1,860 acres have been reported for skunks in Illinois grading higher will cover much ground in their for. As in Canada and the French Canadian enfant du diable, or child of the devil Canada, hedgerow! 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