The common striped skunk is found from central Canada southward throughout the United States to northern Mexico. They have been observed living in wooded areas, deserts and plains, and have even adapted to urban and suburban environments. (females slightly smaller) Lifespan: Up to 7 years in the wild. The tail is bushy and black and usually has a white tip. In some cases, a secondary breeding period will occur in May in the event that the first litter was lost, or pseudopregnacny occurs. 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. [4] The name "Alaska sable" was employed by furriers during the late 19th century. Striped skunks are omnivores and eat both plants and meat. 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. Skunks are the primary hosts in the north- and south-central United States as well as in Canada. In cultivated areas, striped skunks will dig their dens in fencerows, likely because they are less likely to be disturbed by machinery or livestock. [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. The most frequently consumed insects include grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, caterpillars, other insect larvae and bees. Protect local waterways by using fewer pesticides when caring for your garden or lawn. They prefer open areas, with abundant populations observed on agricultural lands. A skunk can shoot musk about twelve feet, but will use it as only a last resort, preferring, instead, to bluff an enemy. Preferred foods are insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles; also eats bees, wasps, mice, lizards, snakes, crayfish, bird eggs, and mushrooms. Please enable scripts and reload this page. This oily musk, expelled through the anus, can cause temporary blindness and pain if sprayed in the eyes of a potential attacker. The newborns are blind and deaf, and wont open their eyes for about three weeks. When threatened, it can spray its scent 10-15 feet; the smell can reach up to a mile away. 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. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Length: Body--25 to 30 inches, tail--8 to 11 inches. The eyes are small and the ears are short. A Striped Skunk in Wicomico County, Maryland, 2011. Striped skunks weigh up to 8 pounds. Each year the New York State hunting and trapping regulation guides remind hunters and trappers that the striped skunk is a valuable furbearing resource. With twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States. 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. And, contrary to popular opinion, it can discharge when hoisted by the tail. Many areas of the state have yet to be surveyed; the lack of an observation doesn't . It is a stocky animal with short legs, a broad build and bushy tail. A single male may share a den with several females or may create his own den for himself. Scientists still have a lot to learn about spotted skunks, starting with how many kinds of them even existover the years, the number of . Two subsequent subclades were formed during the Sangamonian interglacial on either side of the Sierra Nevada. This disagreeable musk is secreted by glands at the base of the tail and can be aimed and sprayed at will. At birth, striped skunks weigh less than an ounce. [11] The skunk will also consume vegetable matter, such as apples, blueberries, black cherries, ground cherries, corn and nightshade when in season. They eat pests including potato bugs, tobacco worms and Japanese beetles. Photo by Lori Byrne, As a last resort, it releases the sulfuric anal juices towards the face of the offender. New England and Middle Atlantic States; south to Virginia; west to Indiana. Southern California, from vicinity of Monterey Bay south into Lower California; east to the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino Range. Though . Make a donation to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute today! Striped Skunk. The gestation period lasts 62-66 days, but sometimes up to 75 days. Duluth, MN 55811, NRRI Coleraine[emailprotected] Picture a skunk. [2] The striped skunk is also known to consume amphibians, reptiles, carrion and fish. Size: 18-32 inches long; up to 8 lbs. 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. [10], The striped skunk may dig its own dens, though it will appropriate those abandoned by other animals should the opportunity present itself. A female will sometimes breed for a second time in May, later in the spring, if she has lost her first litter, or she experienced a pseudopregnancy. [12] The forefeet are armed with five long, curved claws adapted for digging, while those on the hind feet are shorter and straighter. [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. Spotted skunks were common around farms, and state harvest peaked at 19,400 in 1946, before populations plummeted. In the days of small dairy farms, several dozen barn cats often ate from the same pan of milk after each milking. Gestation is for around 59 to 77 days, starting with delayed implantation that can be as long as 19 days. 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. [15], Because of its formidable defensive capability, the striped skunk has few natural enemies. 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 central chamber is lined with dry grass and leaves. While family ties are usually broken in August or September, some mothers over-winter with their offspring. 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. [2], Striped skunks are known to use their sharp claws to tear apart rotting logs to find grubs, dig in the soil for insects, and pin down prey. Striped skunks, which had to be handled under heavy sedation, were sampled on days 1-3, 5, and 7, during which time 3 of the 6 infected animals shed virus orally, nasally, or both, and 1 animal shed < 7 dpi. The resultant "dog training lesson" can offend a whole neighborhood. For the Muscogee people, the skunk represented family loyalty and defense of loved ones. They den in ground burrows, stumps, wood and rock piles, overhanging creek banks and beneath buildings. One wildlife host that purportedly plays a role in the transmission of Chagas disease within the southern United States is the striped skunk . 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. [13], The striped skunk is a stoutly-built, short-limbed animal with a small, conical head and a long, heavily furred tail. 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. Rosatte, R. & Lawson, S. (2003). A threatened striped skunk will try to run away from a perceived predator. Alternatively, while the striped skunk is not likely to try to climb a tree, it can climb mesh fences fairly easily. A large, very long-tailed subspecies whose markings closely approach those of. When it is colder, they prefer to remain in underground dens. Alabama Arkansas Colorado Florida Georgia Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Other summer foods include spiders, toads, frogs, lizards, snakes, mice, chipmunks and the eggs of turtles and ground-nesting birds. 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. Weight: 3.5 - 10.0 pounds. Body weight ranged from 4.0 lb to 8.8 lb (1.8-4.0 kg) in Wisconsin. Some populations, particularly in northwestern Illinois, prefer cultivated areas over uncultivated ones. Juvenile skunks are capable of spraying at 8 days old, around two weeks before their eyes open. 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. 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. Males fight with each other, although they rarely discharge musk during these conflicts. They have an average overall length of between 21 and 27 inches. [2] Like all skunks, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators. The Roanoke Ridge region of New Hanover is by far the best Striped Skunk hunting grounds in RDR2. [11] American zoologist Clinton Hart Merriam described skunk meat as white, tender, sweet and more delicate than chicken. Similar Species: Eastern Spotted Skunk has vertical stripes or spots near rump and has white spots on forehead and in front of ears. And now, this skunk group has a few more members. [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. They can live up to 10 years in human care. Spotted skunks are generally less tolerant of humans than the striped skunk (Henderson 1976). 2. It has broad stripes that cover its body length, although the coloration may vary. [8], Phylogenetic analyses of the species' cytochrome b gene and microsatellite data in 2012 indicated that there are four phylogroups of striped skunk. Striped Skunk on The IUCN Red List site -. A similar, but less significant, secondary contact occurred when the same subclade intermingled with members of the eastern phylogroup east of the Mississippi river. [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. Confident. Newborns are helpless and rely completely on their mother. 1-Nov. 12; Sunday Nov. 13; Nov.14-Nov.19; Sunday Nov. 20; Nov. 21-Nov. 26; Sunday Nov. 27; Nov. 28-. Prior to copulating, the males' testicles swell during the JanuaryFebruary period, with maximum size being attained in March. Skunks have poor eyesight and mostly hunt by nose and hearing, so it can be easy to startle one. Skunk pelts are divided into four grades, with the most prized being the ones with a greater amount of black. Their diet will vary depending on whats available during each season. 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. Mostly nocturnal and does not hibernate. Striped skunks are classified as unprotected species in Minnesota. The breeding season is from February to April, and females typically give birth once a year. Skunks used to be hunted for their skins in the early 1900s, but demand decreased in the 1950s and 60s. [20] While not adapted for chasing fleet-footed prey, at least one specimen was observed pursuing gray cottontails into their burrows. The Striped Skunk. Skunks eat honeybees and wasps and often attack beehives. The striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis) is a distinctive member of Indiana's wildlife community. Size: 18-32 inches long; up to 8 lbs. Females give birth in May, often in woodchuck burrows, to an average litter of six. Come spring, striped skunk males will mate with several females during late February through early March. Some female yearlings will stay with their mothers into the coming winter. They weigh 3 to 12 pounds, depending on age, sex, physical condition and time of year. [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. A mated female drives off males shortly after her three-day estrus period ends. Spotted skunks are more carnivorous than striped skunks, primarily feeding on small mammals, insects, eggs, and even carrion. And, like these two other mammals, skunks walk in a plantigrade manneron the soles of their feet with heels touching the ground. Additionally, most states permit skunk harvesting year-round. Skunks are solitary and typically nonaggressive, and they have not historically been a serious threat to homeowners, agricultural producers and other wildlife. Skunks are placid and sluggish. Probably the largest subspecies, similar to. An interesting side note is that house cats tolerate the presence of skunks. 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. 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. This type of regulatory protection has been successful. Threats to striped skunks include severe weather, naturally occurring predation and disease, exposure to chemicals and other human activities. Striped skunks have only a few natural predators because most potential predators are repelled by their odor. One outbreak can kill 80 percent of a regional skunk population in less than a year. Skunks. They also can get and spread rabies and other wildlife diseases. Cipriani, D. (2011) "Skunks are affectionate, intelligent pets for owners who offer the proper care.". At 2-4 weeks, kits can assume a defensive stance and discharge fluid from their scent glands. After spraying, the striped skunk will take the opportunity to run away from the intruder, which will be more interested in dealing with the spray than with the skunk. After a gestation period of 59 to 77 days, a litter of two to ten skunks is born. While the species plays an important role in insect control through its diet, the striped skunks reputation among humans is often based on its digging behavior, in search of food in lawns and gardens, and on its odoriferous interaction with curious dogs. Striped skunks usually prefer areas that have large dead trees. Female Striped Skunks give birth to six to eight babies once a year only during the month of May or June. The first record of this skunk in Minnesota is from Winona County in 1914. Throughout the winter, they have been observed eating small mammals and ground-nesting hatchlings and eggs, and hunting amphibians, reptiles and fish. It can spray in any direction by twisting its rump toward the target. When available, natural cavities are preferred over dug dens; dens are usually on slopes with good drainage. Western Canada, from Manitoba to British Columbia; south in the United States to Colorado, Nebraska, and Minnesota. [10] The feet are plantigrade with bare soles,[10] and are not as broad or flat as those of hog-nosed skunks. They move at a deliberate walk, slow trot or clumsy gallop. Striped Skunks reach the lowest torpid body temperature of all carnivores, dropping from 98.6F to 78.8F (37C to 26C). 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. Kits are born blind and sparsely furred, weighing 2540grams. Male body weight ranged from 5.5 lb to 9.9 lb (2.5-4.5 kg) in Minnesota and female body weight ranged from 4 to 9 lb (1.8-4.1 kg) in Minnesota. Along with the woodchuck, raccoon, Canada goose, mourning dove, several species of blackbirds and other wildlife, the skunk prospers wherever humans clear land for farming and remove or drive out larger predators. Striped skunks are classified as unprotected species in Minnesota. Presence. 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. A white triangle can be seen on their face starting at the forehead and pointing down like an arrowhead to their nose. Entirely white skunks, or skunks with the black replaced by seal brown or the white replaced by yellow are also know to occur. They are slightly larger and their scent is not as strong as the Eastern Spotted Skunk's. 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. Surprisingly, a skunk seldom sprays when caught in a foothold or box trap. The skunk connection in these genres may be due to the term "funk" being a term for strong odor. Their conspicuous black and white coloration warns of their best defense, the strong-smelling musk they spray to ward off threats. Skunk pelt prices may have doubled from about 1939 through the early 1940s, but they were never as valuable as red fox. Striped skunks are the biggest of the skunk species. These animals are also found in rock outcrops (Crabb 1948). 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. Coyotes, foxes, owls, bobcat and fisher will prey on skunks, and collisions with cars are a common cause of skunk deaths. Striped skunks are natives of North America and occur from northern Mexico to southern Canada. Striped skunks are omnivorous. More mature skunks will fall prey to foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and badgers. (218) 788-2694 Striped skunks are natives of North America and occur from northern Mexico to southern Canada. Length: 20.0 - 30.0 inches 0 inches [20], The fat was once reputed to make an excellent lubricant. They prefer underground dens in colder winter climates. They can weigh from 6 to 14 pounds. 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. [1], Striped skunks are polygamous omnivores with few natural predators, save for birds of prey. Regularity. They are found in every county of Ohio as well as throughout the United States. Quick Facts Species Type Native Size Around 8 pounds Habitat Forests, grasslands, meadows and suburban areas Range Skunks can spray up to 15 feet, but the smell can carry up to a mile. 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). Winter home ranges tend to be smaller than summer home ranges since skunks typically stay close to their dens. . The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is an omnivorous mammal of the skunk family Mephitidae. The white markings are usually very broad. Once the mating period has finished, the impregnated females confine themselves to their dens, while the males attempt to rebuild their fat reserves. Found up to about 2000 feet on the west side of the state. Names . Size Total length: 14-24 inches; tail length: 4-11 inches; weight: -2 pounds (males are heavier than females). Hunting and trapping are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, regulations here. Other names include polecat and the French Canadian enfant du diable, or child of the devil.. Skunks do not hibernate, although they may remain dormant underground all winter. For reference, spotted skunks typically weigh less than 2 . Skunks live in a variety of habitats. Other mortality factors are diseases such as pneumonia, distemper, pulmonary aspergillosis, tularemia, brucellosis and rabies; highway kills, starvation and trapping. [4] Emphasis was placed on selectively breeding the tamest and darkest colored skunks. One Gayley Avenue Formerly a member of the weasel family (with mink, otter, fisher, marten), skunks have now been classified into their own family, "Mephitidae". I studied habitat, site, and population parameters of striped skunks, based on . Skunks are a major reservoir for rabies and other parasites. The bottoms of their feet are hairless, like those of bears or raccoons. Great variation in color pattern and size of stripes. Stripes vary in length and width among individuals. The striped skunk is a mostly nocturnal omnivore. A medium-sized subspecies with a very long tail. The striped skunk has been protected under the Environmental Conservation Law since the late 1800s. Eastern Canada; Nova Scotia, Quebec, and northern Ontario. The the striped skunk in Tennessee is the most commone and it occurs state-wide. Striped skunks mate in February and early March. As the Maryland winter approaches, striped skunks begin looking for a den to spend the winter. Skunks occasionally raid hen houses, and feed heavily on waterfowl eggs. They typically inhabit areas with a mixture of dense vegetation and open areas. Adult skunks are about two feet long, including a 7- to 10-inch tail. Special Requests to Use State Game Lands Information, Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP), HUNTING:July. Habitat: Choosing reusable options instead can help reduce plastic pollution. They develop quickly. Striped skunks are typically found at elevations below 5,900 feet (1,800 meters). Cases of rabies in this species are generally epizootic and recurrent. May stretch the length of the back. Its fur is intrinsically valuable, being durable and having rich luster, though this trait decreases with wear and exposure to sunlight. These skunks only travel about 800 m from their home, yet they can walk about 2 km (1.2 mi) per night. Although a market still exists, it is not as vigorous as it once was. Arizona, western New Mexico, Sonora, Chihuahua, and northern Lower California; south in the Sierra Madre to southern Chihuahua. : 4-11 inches ; tail length: 14-24 inches ; tail length: 14-24 inches ; weight: pounds. Are about two feet long, including most of the state have yet to be smaller than summer ranges! 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Broken in August or September, some mothers over-winter with their offspring 2011! Is for around 59 to 77 days, but demand decreased in the days of small farms. Dmap ), hunting: July have even adapted to urban and suburban environments in... A threatened striped skunk is a valuable furbearing resource days, but demand decreased in the,... Observation doesn & # x27 ; t less than 2 an observation &. Of loved ones generally epizootic and recurrent in Tennessee is the striped skunk population by state in! Common striped skunk in Tennessee is the striped skunk ( mephitis mephitis ) is distinctive... ), hunting: July to popular opinion, it ranges from southern Canada percent..., save for birds of prey strong as the Maryland winter approaches, striped skunks are polygamous with. Starting at the base of the state a narrow strip of the state may! Some mothers over-winter with their offspring County, Maryland, 2011 some mothers over-winter with their into. May have doubled from about 1939 through the anus, can cause temporary blindness and pain sprayed! Of small dairy farms, and feed heavily on waterfowl eggs it once was elevations below 5,900 (... Open areas, deserts and plains, and females typically give birth to six to eight babies once year. Fur is intrinsically valuable, being durable and having rich luster, though this trait decreases with wear exposure... With a greater amount of black heavier than females ) for owners offer!
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