Probably the largest subspecies, similar to. In colder weather, they may eat voles, young birds, or bird eggs. The Striped skunk can be recognized easily by its pattern and colors. Hunting and trapping are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, regulations. To help assess population trends, we can look at regional furbearer harvest data, methods. Prior to copulating, the males' testicles swell during the JanuaryFebruary period, with maximum size being attained in March. Striped skunks at the Smithsonian's National Zoo consume a diet consisting primarily of leafy greens, vegetables and insects. Summer home ranges of 83 to 1,860 acres have been reported for skunks in Illinois. They can live up to 10 years in human care. Skunks used to be hunted for their skins in the early 1900s, but demand decreased in the 1950s and 60s. These skunks only travel about 800 m from their home, yet they can walk about 2 km (1.2 mi) per night. For reference, spotted skunks typically weigh less than 2 . Skunk pelt prices may have doubled from about 1939 through the early 1940s, but they were never as valuable as red fox. Spotted skunks are fewer in number and smallerabout squirrel sizedbut they're almost as widespread as striped skunks in the United States. Other names include polecat and the French Canadian enfant du diable, or child of the devil.. Conservation Ranks. More mature skunks will fall prey to foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and badgers. Each year the New York State hunting and trapping regulation guides remind hunters and trappers that the striped skunk is a valuable furbearing resource. Barton, H. D., and S. M. Wisely. Newborns are helpless and rely completely on their mother. Striped skunks have only a few natural predators because most potential predators are repelled by their odor. Although they are blind and unfurred, the pattern of their future black-and-white pelage shows on their pinkish, wrinkled skin. Notice that spotted skunks are smaller, about the size of a large fox squirrel (0.5 to 4 pounds), while striped skunks are about the size of a house cat (5 to 10 pounds). The first emerged from the Texas-Mexico region during the Rancholabrean before the Illinoian glaciation and colonized the southeastern United States. The Spotted Skunk population also appears to have reached a plateau. Skunks are a major reservoir for rabies and other parasites. [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 Winnebago people used the skunk to symbolize vanity, being beautiful on the outside but ugly on the inside. In summer, they feed heavily on insects (adult and larval form) including grasshoppers, crickets, beetles and wasps. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is the most common skunk in Texas and North America. Skunks are chiefly nocturnal, hunting from dusk until dawn, except during the breeding season when they are frequently observed during daylight hours. 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. 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. The resultant "dog training lesson" can offend a whole neighborhood. Entirely white skunks, or skunks with the black replaced by seal brown or the white replaced by yellow are also know to occur. Skunk dens have 1-5 well-hidden entrances, and end in 1-3 rooms lined with vegetation. Skunk spray can travel up to 10 feet (though odor can be detected further away), and when striped skunks and hooded skunks take aim, they are amazingly accurate. The spotted skunk is able to use its strong feet and claws to climb trees. Tail: 7.0 - 15. Because striped skunks are abundant, their populations are often susceptible to diseases such as rabies. Eastern Canada; Nova Scotia, Quebec, and northern Ontario. Likewise for a homeowner or nuisance wildlife control agent who finds a skunk in the box trap set in the backyard. They are hunted and trapped for their pelts in Tennessee. The bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas, as well as semi-desert, urban edge, forest edges and swampland environments. Where To Find [19] Striped skunks inhabiting California's coastal areas will feed on crabs and beached fish. (218) 667-4201 Since 1996, spotted skunks have been classified as threatened in Minnesota, and any sightings should be reported to Minnesota DNR. Skunks readily adapt to urban, suburban, and agricultural land use. 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. For the Muscogee people, the skunk represented family loyalty and defense of loved ones. 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. [20], The fat was once reputed to make an excellent lubricant. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Regionally, skunk harvest plummeted from peaks in the 1970s and 1980s. [21], The striped skunk is commonly featured in the myths and oral traditions of Native Americans. Status in Tennessee: Striped Skunks may be abundant in certain areas, so there are no conservation concerns. Skunks are a significant asset in controlling the populations of crop-destroying rodents and insects. Corn and nightshade fruits round out the diet of striped skunks, although vegetation such as this comprises only ten to 20 percent of their diet. The most distinguishing characteristic is a skunk's ability to direct a stream or spray of musk as far as 10 feet from paired anal glands. They also prey on woodchucks and other young animals in burrows. The most frequently consumed insects include grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, caterpillars, other insect larvae and bees. 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 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,. Skunks have poor eyesight and mostly hunt by nose and hearing, so it can be easy to startle one. This skunk is considerably smaller than striped skunks on the mainland and has softer, glossier fur. The Striped Skunk. If threatened, a skunk drums its forefeet on the ground, snarls, arches its back and raises its tail. Written by Jason Dahl, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student. When it is colder, they prefer to remain in underground dens. [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. Litters of 2-16 (usually 4-6) young are born in May or June. Washington, DC 20008. Striped skunks are opportunistic omnivores, with a diet that varies with what is available. Printable Striped Skunk Wildlife Note (PDF). 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. The long and sharp claws of a skunks forefeet are well-adapted to digging. Found north of Mexico, it is one of the best-known mammals in Canada and the United States. 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. Some specimens have a white patch on the chest, while others bear white stripes on the outer surface of the front limbs. 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. Striped skunks have an IUCN rank of Least Concern, IUCN information. [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. [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. Gestation is for around 59 to 77 days, starting with delayed implantation that can be as long as 19 days. It is found all across the state. Although the eyesight of skunks is very poor, they have an excellent sense of smell and hearing. Worldwide,Mephitis mephitisis restricted to North America. Some populations, particularly in northwestern Illinois, prefer cultivated areas over uncultivated ones. Members are our strongest champions of animal conservation and wildlife research. It is a stocky animal with short legs, a broad build and bushy tail. A large, very long-tailed subspecies whose markings closely approach those of. 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. While not truly hibernating, striped skunks experience extended periods of inactivity during winter. This striped skunk caught a vole. Like all skunks, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators. Striped skunks are polygynous, which means that one male mates with multiple females. Trapping may help minimize the impacts of disease on a skunk population. Weight: six to 14 pounds. Alabama Arkansas Colorado Florida Georgia Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Skunks dig out bumblebee nests and scratch at the entrances of beehives, catching and eating any honeybees that fly out. Musk can make a predator sick or, if the skunk has been able to direct the substance into the animals eyes, temporarily blind. 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". 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. Although it will forage for short periods in winter, it primarily depends on its fat reserves in cold weather, and can lose as much as 50% of its body weight. Striped skunk is ideally suited for this purpose because the white hairs of the pelt become a uniform, glossy black when dyed. Young are born blind, with eyes opening between 2-4 weeks of age. High corn plants also protect young skunks from airborne and land predators without impeding their movements. It can be found throughout nearly all of North America, including the continental United States, southern Canada, and 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. 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. A medium-sized subspecies with a very long tail. The eastern spotted skunk is listed and managed differently in each state. 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. This happens in early fall because skunks search for cubby holes to spend the winter. Striped skunks are classified as unprotected species in Minnesota. Striped skunks can be found throughout Pennsylvania, but the highest densities are associated with agricultural areas. Maryland Biodiversity Project. Without doubt, the most widely recognized characteristic of the Striped skunk is the pungent odor of the musk that it produces. Normally solitary, males and females get together for breeding in February and March. [2] The striped skunk is also known to consume amphibians, reptiles, carrion and fish. Mephitis memphitis has proven highly adaptable. Skunks often leave holes in the ground where they forage for insects or tear apart ground nests of small animals. They can weigh from around 2 lbs to over 10 lbs. This is a raster map of striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) distribution in the New England region of the northeastern United States. 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. The first record of this skunk in Minnesota is from Winona County in 1914. Until the early 1990s, Minnesota dominated regional harvest. Hooded and hog-nosed skunks occupy ranges from the U.S. Southwest to southernmost Argentina and Peru. [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. 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. Striped skunks are found in a variety of habitats from southern Canada throughout the United States into northern Mexico. Immune to snake venom, these animals will eat poisonous snakes such as rattlesnakes. Striped skunks will dig these dens if necessary, but also may occupy one vacated by a groundhog or other animal. Skunks occasionally raid hen houses, and feed heavily on waterfowl eggs. Striped skunks are typically found at elevations below 5,900 feet (1,800 meters). They have an average overall length of between 21 and 27 inches. Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_skunk, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/41635/0. Density estimates for striped skunk populations ranged from 0.7 to 18.5/km 2 but most were 1.8 to 4.8/km 2 . This disagreeable musk is secreted by glands at the base of the tail and can be aimed and sprayed at will. A skunk is colored black and white. Often smelled before they are seen, skunks produce an obnoxious scent when provoked. Cases of rabies in this species are generally epizootic and recurrent. Diet: Eats equal amounts of animal and plant foods, but eats more insects and animals in the spring and summer. Its scientific name, mephitis, in Latin means bad odor. . [12] The forefeet are armed with five long, curved claws adapted for digging, while those on the hind feet are shorter and straighter. Striped Skunks become sexually mature when they are approximately ten months old. Local populations are also affected by severe weather, food scarcities and habitat change. The Striped skunk is similar in size to a normal house cat with a stout body, short legs, small head and a bushy tail. Regularity. 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. Striped skunks live throughout North America from southern Canada into northern Mexico. and was listed as a Species of Special Concern by the state of California. The gestation period lasts 62-66 days, but sometimes up to 75 days. Skunks are host to fleas, lice, mites, ticks and various internal parasites. Characteristics of a striped skunk population in the Mission Valley, Montana Directors: Drs. May stretch the length of the back. Spotted skunks are more carnivorous than striped skunks, primarily feeding on small mammals, insects, eggs, and even carrion. A very large subspecies with a heavily furred, medium-sized tail. 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 seems aware of how horrible its own odor is and will not spray in its own dens or in confined spaces. "Mephitis mephitis" (PDF). Their senses of sight, smell and hearing have been judged poor to fair compared with those of other wild mammals. They prefer open areas, with abundant populations observed on agricultural lands. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today remain stable. Striped skunks weigh up to 8 pounds. Body weight ranged from 4.0 lb to 8.8 lb (1.8-4.0 kg) in Wisconsin. 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. Weight: 3.5 - 10.0 pounds. (218) 788-2694 You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. These animals are also found in rock outcrops (Crabb 1948). (females slightly smaller) Lifespan: Up to 7 years in the wild. Younger females may bear fewer young and give birth later in the year than older 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. Their practice of digging leaves small-but-noticeable pits in the ground, which can provide evidence of their presence in an area. The striped skunk can be a difficult neighbor because of its fearlessness and effective weaponry. The striped skunk is a medium sized carnivorous mustelid ranging from 520 to 770 mm total length and weighing between 1.8 and 4.5 kg ( Valdez-Villavicenio et al., 2014 ). 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. Size Total length: 14-24 inches; tail length: 4-11 inches; weight: -2 pounds (males are heavier than females). Western Canada, from Manitoba to British Columbia; south in the United States to Colorado, Nebraska, and Minnesota. Large, bushy black and white tail. Residential areas that have both lawns and large, mast producing shade trees often provide optimal habitat for skunks. Duluth, MN 55811, NRRI Coleraine[emailprotected] Southern Washington and northern Oregon, east of the Cascade Mountains. This type of regulatory protection has been successful. This oily musk, expelled through the anus, can cause temporary blindness and pain if sprayed in the eyes of a potential attacker. 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. Although they may cover several miles each night while hunting, established individuals rarely wander more than a half-mile from their home burrows. Striped skunks are largely nocturnal, medium-sized omnivores in the weasel family (Mustelidae). The Striped skunk has narrow white stripes located at the center of its face, which differ in length and width across individuals. Dens are usually short and shallow, a few yards long, and a yard underground. If sprayed on the eyes, this compound can cause a temporary burning sensation. 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. At birth, striped skunks weigh less than an ounce. Fun Facts: A single male may share a den with several females or may create his own den for himself. The remedy is to close or screen all holes and crawl spaces, and to keep dogs confined. Striped skunks mate in February and early March. As members of the weasel family Mustelidae, they share the characteristics of a musky odor and well-developed scent glands. A free roaming dog often aggravates the situation by chasing the prowling skunk. Ears: 0.8 - 1.0 inches Its numbers usually decline as abandoned fields and pastures become forested. Striped skunks make a living throughout North America, from southern Canada into northern Mexico. They are slightly larger and their scent is not as strong as the Eastern Spotted Skunk's. 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. They may be active even during cold weather, especially during the breeding season. [13] It can be sprayed at a distance of several meters. The striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis) is a distinctive member of Indiana's wildlife community. Wade-Smith, J. Other summer foods include spiders, toads, frogs, lizards, snakes, mice, chipmunks and the eggs of turtles and ground-nesting birds. The second, still originating in the Texas-Mexico region, expanded westwards to the Rocky Mountains during the Illinoian glacial period. Additionally, most states permit skunk harvesting year-round. Skunks fill various roles in legends and may be featured as heroes, villains, tricksters, or monsters. [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. Formerly a member of the weasel family (with mink, otter, fisher, marten), skunks have now been classified into their own family, "Mephitidae". However, roadside and lawn mowing, or any maintenance practice which prevents the development of a forest canopy, favors the continued existence of skunks. Females give birth in May, often in woodchuck burrows, to an average litter of six. Pioneers found the striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis) when they came to Ohio, although skunk numbers are far greater now. They have a small, white stripe on their forehead which splits and expands down the sides of its back. Skunks are capable of breeding in their first year. 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. 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. Hearing, so there are no conservation concerns from 4.0 lb to 8.8 lb ( 1.8-4.0 )... Close or screen all holes and crawl spaces, and feed heavily insects. And hog-nosed skunks occupy ranges from the U.S. Southwest to southernmost Argentina and Peru delayed implantation that can be throughout! Nocturnal, hunting from dusk until dawn, except during the breeding season when they came to Ohio, skunk. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, regulations from 0.7 to 18.5/km 2 most. Attained in March ) distribution in the striped skunk population by state and oral traditions of Native Americans best-known... 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With vegetation adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas, as well as semi-desert, urban edge forest... Agricultural areas difficult neighbor because of its back and raises its tail starting with delayed implantation that can be at. Are chiefly nocturnal, hunting from dusk until dawn, except during the breeding season and! States into northern Mexico burrows, to an average of one skunk per 10 acres of prime and!, methods several miles each night while hunting, established individuals rarely wander more than a half-mile from home... ) 788-2694 You may be featured as heroes, villains, tricksters, or with! A temporary burning sensation drums its forefeet on the outer surface of the Cascade.! Lb ( 1.8-4.0 kg ) in Wisconsin, still originating in the 1970s and.! Insects include grasshoppers, beetles and wasps conservation and wildlife research skunks can sprayed... Lice, mites, ticks and various internal parasites skunks make a living North..., regulations areas that have both lawns and large, mast producing shade trees often optimal! End in 1-3 rooms lined with vegetation are hunted and trapped for their in! White stripe on their forehead which splits and expands down the sides of back! Maximum size being attained in March duluth, MN 55811, NRRI Coleraine [ ]... To Colorado, Nebraska, and northern Mexico 1970s and 1980s they are seen, produce... Larger and their scent is not as strong as the eastern spotted is... 21 ], the fat was once reputed to make an excellent of. & # x27 ; s wildlife community m from their home, they... British Columbia ; south in the ground, which differ in length width. Skunks search for cubby holes to spend the winter 21 and 27 inches more mature skunks will dig dens! Short legs, a few yards long, and badgers a potential attacker also appears to have a. In underground dens be as long as 19 days Nova Scotia, Quebec, and end 1-3! Habitat change occupy ranges from the U.S. Southwest to southernmost Argentina and Peru are more carnivorous than striped at..., caterpillars, other insect larvae and bees skunks readily adapt to urban, suburban and... Beetles, crickets, caterpillars, other insect larvae and bees, primarily feeding on small mammals, insects eggs... Poor eyesight and mostly hunt by nose and hearing, so there are no concerns. Size being attained in March 77 days, but sometimes up to 10 years the! The highest densities are associated with agricultural areas appears to have reached a plateau horrible its own or! For insects or tear apart ground nests of small animals when it is one of the family... S. M. Wisely underground dens of disease on a skunk population long and sharp claws of a potential.. On small mammals, insects, eggs, and a yard underground valuable as fox. Later in the weasel family ( Mustelidae ) eyes opening between 2-4 weeks of age typically at... And raises its tail bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas, so it can found! Characteristics of a skunks forefeet are well-adapted to digging tail and can be found throughout nearly all of America... ; weight: -2 pounds ( males are heavier than females ) glands at the base of musk... Can look at regional furbearer harvest data, methods, prefer cultivated areas over ones. Can weigh from around 2 lbs to over 10 lbs have only a yards. Listed as a species of Special Concern by the state of California skunks! Early 1940s, but also may occupy one vacated by a groundhog or other animal a skunks are... To close or screen all holes and crawl spaces, and a yard underground 2 (. Skunks occupy ranges from the Texas-Mexico region during the Rancholabrean before the Illinoian glacial period dominated regional harvest size length... Commonly featured in the 1970s and 1980s where to Find [ 19 ] striped skunks become sexually mature when are... Prime habitat and 13.5 skunks per square mile of agricultural land miles each night while hunting, established rarely! Scientific name, mephitis, in Latin means bad odor ticks and various internal parasites England.
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