The striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis) is a distinctive member of Indiana's wildlife community. Juvenile skunks are capable of spraying at 8 days old, around two weeks before their eyes open. 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. They are easily identifiable by the white stripe running from head to tail and each individual has a unique pattern of stripes. Photo by Mike Ostrowski, Maryland Biodiversity Project. Like all skunks, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators. Skunks are a significant asset in controlling the populations of crop-destroying rodents and insects. Striped Skunks reach the lowest torpid body temperature of all carnivores, dropping from 98.6F to 78.8F (37C to 26C). This association likely resulted in the striped skunk's subsequent unfavorable reputation as a poultry thief, despite it being a much less destructive animal than the true polecat. 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. Since 1996, spotted skunks have been classified as threatened in Minnesota, and any sightings should be reported to Minnesota DNR. Total length: 20 to 28 inches. PO Box 188 A muscle-encapsulated gland positioned under the tail produces a liquid that can be expelled. It can be found throughout nearly all of North America, including the continental United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. Gestation takes approximately two months, so that by May a female is caring for an average litter of five or six young. Spotted skunks will also use barns and out buildings for cover. Skunks forage at night or at dawn for a variety of foods including berries, grasses, nuts, and other vegetable material, as well as worms, insects, grubs and the nestlings of birds, mice and cottontail rabbits. 2. Their diet includes insects, fish, crustaceans, small mammals, fruits, nuts, grasses leaves, and carrion (dead animals). Striped Skunk Commonly referred to as polecats, striped skunk are about the size of domestic house cats, measuring 21-28 inches in total length and weighing from 3-11 pounds. During the breeding season, males may travel as far as 8 km (4.9 mi) at night. Ears: 0.8 - 1.0 inches The striped skunk is abundant in New York and its populations are secure. [4] Emphasis was placed on selectively breeding the tamest and darkest colored skunks. 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 . Size Total length: 14-24 inches; tail length: 4-11 inches; weight: -2 pounds (males are heavier than females). Skunks do not hibernate, although they may remain dormant underground all winter. Avoid single-use plastics, such as plastic bottles, bags and utensils. The population of both Striped and Spotted Skunks is very unstable and subject to violent fluctuations in any given area" (Reports from 1951:17). The Striped Skunk is found in lowlands throughout Washington, preferring relatively open country such as logged lands, old fields, open woods, brushy grassland, forest edges, riparian corridors, and agricultural areas. Three other skunk species live in the United States: hooded and hognose skunks, which inhabit the Southwest, and the spotted skunk, which is found throughout much of the country. Length: Body--25 to 30 inches, tail--8 to 11 inches. One wildlife host that purportedly plays a role in the transmission of Chagas disease within the southern United States is the striped skunk . The musk is a strong irritant to the eyes and nose, and acts as a depressant to the central . Mephitis memphitis has proven highly adaptable. Mephitis memphitis has proven highly adaptable. A strong market for fur-trimmed cloth coats developed in the late 1930s as our country recovered from the Great Depression. These skunks only travel about 800 m from their home, yet they can walk about 2 km (1.2 mi) per night. They may be active even during cold weather, especially during the breeding season. Regularity. [10] The feet are plantigrade with bare soles,[10] and are not as broad or flat as those of hog-nosed skunks. It is found all across the state. 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. Skunks are about the size of house cats, and have distinctive black and white fur patterns. Males fight with each other, although they rarely discharge musk during these conflicts. Striped skunks have black fur with a wide, white stripe from the head all the way down the back on the body. . 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. This is a raster map of striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) distribution in the New England region of the northeastern United States. Striped skunks can be found throughout Pennsylvania, but the highest densities are associated with agricultural areas. Striped skunks are polygynous, which means that one male mates with multiple females. This disagreeable musk is secreted by glands at the base of the tail and can be aimed and sprayed at will. The species has triangular shaped heads that taper to the nose, small round ears and black eyes. Quick Facts Species Type Native Size Around 8 pounds Habitat Forests, grasslands, meadows and suburban areas Range And now, this skunk group has a few more members. Striped skunks are omnivorous. Skunks have small heads, with small eyes and ears and a pointed nose. (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,. The average lifespan of striped skunks in the wild is 7 years. Photo by Smithsonian Wild. Length: 20.0 - 30.0 inches 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. Some farmers welcome their presence, realizing that these small predators eat many pest insects and rodents. Striped skunks weigh up to 8 pounds. The the striped skunk in Tennessee is the most commone and it occurs state-wide. 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. 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. [22], The striped skunk is one of North America's most sought-after furbearers, and was once the second most harvested after the muskrat. A beginning fox and raccoon trapper may be dismayed upon finding a skunk in a trap set in a pasture or meadow. Length: 14.0 - 22.0 inches Tail: 4.5 - 9.0 inches Ears: 1.0 - 1.1 inches Weight: 0.75 - 2.75 pounds Similar Species: Striped Skunk does not have vertical stripes or spots near rump, and lacks white spots on forehead and in front of ears. Alternatively, while the striped skunk is not likely to try to climb a tree, it can climb mesh fences fairly easily. Young skunks follow their mothers in single file while learning to hunt and forage. 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. [10] Although their musk is still undeveloped, kits of this age will instinctively assume the defensive stand position when threatened. After three weeks, their scent glands become functional; at four weeks, their eyes open; and at about two months the young are weaned and ready to leave the den for nighttime hunting forays. Transport the covered trap without too much jostling, and the animal will not spray. A skunks smelly spray can reach up to ten feet, and be detected for up to 2.4 km (1.5 mi). New England and Middle Atlantic States; south to Virginia; west to Indiana. The striped skunk is a black and white mammal about the size of a house cat. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Immune to snake venom, these animals will eat poisonous snakes such as rattlesnakes. 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. Cases of rabies in this species are generally epizootic and recurrent. A large, very long-tailed subspecies whose markings closely approach those of. Striped skunks make a living throughout North America, from southern Canada into northern Mexico. Skunks often leave holes in the ground where they forage for insects or tear apart ground nests of small animals. Until the early 1990s, Minnesota dominated regional harvest. Most skunks do not survive their first year because of infectious diseases and severe weather conditions. Skunks are capable of breeding in their first year. 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. The most common skunks in North America, striped skunks are terrestrial animals that can survive in a variety of habitats and land types. Weight: 3.5 - 10.0 pounds. Conservation Ranks. Skunk musk is generally harmless. [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. A very large subspecies with a heavily furred, medium-sized tail. To a chemist, the spray consists of of four carbon and hydrogen compounds called thiols. Other predators include birds of prey such as great horned owls and bald eagles. 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. Skunks have poor eyesight and mostly hunt by nose and hearing, so it can be easy to startle one. However, that could change. The most common skunks in North America, striped skunks are terrestrial animals that can survive in a variety of habitats and land types. Skunks breed in February or March, and after a 63 day gestation period, 4-6 kits are born in May. Kits are able to follow their mother on hunting trips at two months, and soon after disperse. [4] Selective breeding has resulted in the emergence of various color mutations, including black, chocolate-brown or smokey gray and white, apricot, albino, white, lavender, champagne and mahogany. Its scientific name, mephitis, in Latin means bad odor. During winter for extended periods, they are inactive but they do not truly hibernate. The eastern spotted skunk is listed and managed differently in each state. Striped skunks have only a few natural predators because most potential predators are repelled by their odor. The type locality is in eastern Canada. Spotted skunks have a more complicated pattern of spots and broken lines, while striped skunks have two white stripes running from head to tail. Striped skunks live throughout North America from southern Canada into northern Mexico. In the photo above, a striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is on left and a spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius) is on right. [11] At this point, the kits may accompany their mother outside the den, becoming independent after 2 months. Skunks are intelligent and usually good-natured. Some specimens have a white patch on the chest, while others bear white stripes on the outer surface of the front limbs. Common Name: Striped Skunk. and was listed as a Species of Special Concern by the state of California. Confident. Striped skunks are natives of North America and occur from northern Mexico to southern Canada. A free roaming dog often aggravates the situation by chasing the prowling skunk. [13] The meat was prized by Chinese immigrants, who also bought skunk gall bladders for medicinal purposes. Skunks can spray up to 15 feet, but the smell can carry up to a mile. [2] The striped skunk is also known to consume amphibians, reptiles, carrion and fish. Of the 3 skunks that underwent necropsy on 3 dpi, 2 had infectious virus in the turbinates but not in other tissues tested. As the Maryland winter approaches, striped skunks begin looking for a den to spend the winter. Life Expectancy Approximately 2-4 years Preferred Habitat Skunks use a variety of habitat types, preferring woodlands, semi-open farmland, and old abandoned fields. The striped skunk can be a difficult neighbor because of its fearlessness and effective weaponry. [13], The striped skunk is a stoutly-built, short-limbed animal with a small, conical head and a long, heavily furred tail. Once the mating period has finished, the impregnated females confine themselves to their dens, while the males attempt to rebuild their fat reserves. Mostly nocturnal and does not hibernate. 3 of 8 The Latin name for skunk, Mephitis mephitis, means "double foul odor.". For the Muscogee people, the skunk represented family loyalty and defense of loved ones. (1982). & Verts, B. J. At 2-4 weeks, kits can assume a defensive stance and discharge fluid from their scent glands. Confidence. The species commonly found in Pennsylvania is the striped skunk. As many outdoors enthusiasts or dog owners can attest, the striped skunks spray is a truly memorable experience. In general, adults range more widely than juveniles, males more widely than females. A threatened striped skunk will try to run away from a perceived predator. 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. Their practice of digging leaves small-but-noticeable pits in the ground, which can provide evidence of their presence in an area. 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. Striped skunks live throughout North America from southern Canada into northern Mexico. A Striped Skunk in Queen Annes County, Maryland, 2020. This type of regulatory protection has been successful. Cipriani, D. (2011) "Skunks are affectionate, intelligent pets for owners who offer the proper care.". As an opportunistic feeder, it will fill its diet with a variety of insects, small mammals, eggs, and occasional plants. Males in particular are likely to be active aboveground periodically. Skunks are susceptible to distemper and rabies. Striped skunks are found throughout Florida, except the Keys, and can be found in both natural and residential areas. Striped skunks reach reproductive maturity when they are 10 months old. Great variation in color pattern and size of stripes. [2] During this period, the striped skunk saves its energy by lowering its body temperature from 38C to 32C. About the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Two New Striped Skunks Make Debut At Small Mammal House, A Quack-filled Roll Call: Meet the Ducks of the Bird House, #CheetahCubdate 7: How to Enrich and Train Cheetahs, New at the Zoo: Meet Our Gray Seal, Jo-Jo. Young are born blind, with eyes opening between 2-4 weeks of age. Striped skunks are found in a variety of habitats from southern Canada throughout the United States into northern Mexico. (Verts, 1967). You're probably thinking of a stocky animal, around the size of a housecat, black with white stripes, like Pep Le Pew. The regulations allow only a limited, open harvest season. 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. Many areas of the state have yet to be surveyed; the lack of an observation doesn't . Litters of 2-16 (usually 4-6) young are born in May or June. 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. 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. Striped skunks are the biggest of the skunk species. Once they are weaned, the young skunks will follow their mother in a single file line and learn to forage and hunt. The striped skunk (or Mephitis mephitis) is a small mammal found throughout North America, including southern Canada, the US and northern Mexico. NRRI Duluth[emailprotected] An interesting side note is that house cats tolerate the presence of skunks. 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. Wanders onto beaches at low tide eating stranded animals. At birth, striped skunks weigh less than an ounce. Skunks molt yearly, beginning in April and ending in September. Striped Skunk. Skunks are chiefly nocturnal, hunting from dusk until dawn, except during the breeding season when they are frequently observed during daylight hours. Dens are usually short and shallow, a few yards long, and a yard underground. Using fertilizers sparingly, keeping storm drains free of litter and picking up after your pet can also improve watershed health. Due to their diet, Striped skunks may affect insect populations in their range. Striped skunks are classified as unprotected species in Minnesota. Striped skunks at the Smithsonian's National Zoo consume a diet consisting primarily of leafy greens, vegetables and insects. Pioneers found the striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis) when they came to Ohio, although skunk numbers are far greater now. [11], The musk was once used as a folk remedy for asthma, despite its very strong odor.[12]. [11] The latter name was originally used by English settlers, who noted the animal's similarity to the European polecat. Variations include striping patterns and coloration; some striped skunks may be cream-colored with no visible striping. After mating, the female no longer associates with the male and becomes aggressive towards him through vocalizing, stamping her feet and sometimes fighting. Biologists on the Savannah River Site have documented spotted skunks associated with old fields, open forests, and hedgerow . Arizona, western New Mexico, Sonora, Chihuahua, and northern Lower California; south in the Sierra Madre to southern Chihuahua. Stripes vary in length and width among individuals. [5], The striped skunk was regularly eaten by trappers and indigenous peoples, provided the animal was not too old or had not sprayed before being killed. Some harvesting continues today. A mated female drives off males shortly after her three-day estrus period ends. The Striped Skunk. When threatened, it can spray its scent 10-15 feet; the smell can reach up to a mile away. Some stories try to explain its striped pattern or how it got its smell. Fruits, nuts, carrion, garbage, invertebrates, eggs, small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles can all be taken, but insects usually represent the majority of their diet. To help assess population trends, we can look at regional furbearer harvest data, methods. It also suggested that the decline in Plains Spotted Skunk harvest was due to decline in fur prices (Reports from 1951). Each year the New York State hunting and trapping regulation guides remind hunters and trappers that the striped skunk is a valuable furbearing resource. Skunk pelt prices may have doubled from about 1939 through the early 1940s, but they were never as valuable as red fox. In some states, like Florida, skunks may be killed only during a season, but harvests year-round are allowed in most states. Skunk fur is an important asset to the fur industry, with pelts with a greater percentage of black grading higher. According to IUCN, the Striped skunk is common and widely distributed throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. For reference, spotted skunks typically weigh less than 2 . During the day, they nest in the abandoned dens that other animals have lived in, or in brush piles or hollowed logs, or underneath buildings. Its body is often mostly black, with white occurring in a narrow blaze up the middle of its forehead. Striped skunks were a staple of the fur trade into the 1950s, but low pelt . Where To Find Skunks are prey for raptors and larger mammal carnivores. Musk can make a predator sick or, if the skunk has been able to direct the substance into the animals eyes, temporarily blind. 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. Best places to see in Tennessee: Edges, corners, and fencerows of fields. Picture a skunk. Striped skunks are typically docile mammals that tolerate humans in close proximity without showing aggression. The eyes open after around three weeks, and are weaned after 4256 days. 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. Moving a skunk in a box trap is easy if you cover the trap with a dark blanket so the animal can't see you. The remedy is to close or screen all holes and crawl spaces, and to keep dogs confined. 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. 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). Southern California, from vicinity of Monterey Bay south into Lower California; east to the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino Range. Spraying typically takes place after a warning display, where the skunk stomps its feet and arches its back, at the same time raising its tail. Striped skunks are omnivores and eat both plants and meat. 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. If threatened, a skunk drums its forefeet on the ground, snarls, arches its back and raises its tail. A Striped Skunk in Wicomico County, Maryland, 2011. That describes North America's most common skunk, the striped skunk, but they also have smaller, spotted cousins. Southern and western Texas, eastern New Mexico, and adjacent parts of Mexico; north into Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. 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. 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. 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. 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. Hooded and hog-nosed skunks occupy ranges from the U.S. Southwest to southernmost Argentina and Peru. 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. However, roadside and lawn mowing, or any maintenance practice which prevents the development of a forest canopy, favors the continued existence of skunks. 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. Southern Washington and northern Oregon, east of the Cascade Mountains. Two subsequent subclades were formed during the Sangamonian interglacial on either side of the Sierra Nevada. [11], The striped skunk is easily tamed and was often kept in barns to kill rats and mice during the 19th century. Written by Jason Dahl, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student. Although they are blind and unfurred, the pattern of their future black-and-white pelage shows on their pinkish, wrinkled skin. Status in Tennessee: Striped Skunks may be abundant in certain areas, so there are no conservation concerns. Its active ingredient is a sulphide called mercaptan. Skunk dens have 1-5 well-hidden entrances, and end in 1-3 rooms lined with vegetation. Skunks occasionally raid hen houses, and feed heavily on waterfowl eggs. Males are, on average, 15 percent larger and heavier than females. They prefer underground dens in colder winter climates. Skunks are the primary hosts in the north- and south-central United States as well as in Canada. 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 have an IUCN rank of Least Concern, IUCN information. Protect local waterways by using fewer pesticides when caring for your garden or lawn. 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 most frequently consumed insects include grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, caterpillars, other insect larvae and bees. Skunk pelts are divided into four grades, with the most prized being the ones with a greater amount of black. Prior to copulating, the males' testicles swell during the JanuaryFebruary period, with maximum size being attained in March. This bustling skunk habitat spans as far west as Emerald Ranch before dispersing toward the state borders. They have been observed living in wooded areas, deserts and plains, and have even adapted to urban and suburban environments. 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. . In cultivated areas, striped skunks will dig their dens in fencerows, likely because they are less likely to be disturbed by machinery or livestock. They have an average overall length of between 21 and 27 inches. 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. [11] The skunk will also consume vegetable matter, such as apples, blueberries, black cherries, ground cherries, corn and nightshade when in season. Characteristics of a striped skunk population in the Mission Valley, Montana Directors: Drs. West side of Mississippi Valley from southern Louisiana to Missouri; westward along the coast of Texas to Matagorda Island; and up the Red River Valley as far at least as Wichita Falls. Weight: Between 3 and 10 pounds. [21], The striped skunk is commonly featured in the myths and oral traditions of Native Americans. [1], Striped skunks are polygamous omnivores with few natural predators, save for birds of prey. 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. Below, we have summarized the various classifications, monitoring, research, and contact information for each state alphabetically. Striped skunks are largely nocturnal, medium-sized omnivores in the weasel family (Mustelidae). The bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas, as well as semi-desert, urban edge, forest edges and swampland environments. When it is colder, they prefer to remain in underground dens. Dogs, foxes, coyotes and bobcats take an occasional skunk, but the skunks potent musk warns off most predators. Eastern striped skunks are relatively common throughout the United States and can be found throughout Maryland. [11], Like all skunks, the striped skunk possesses two highly developed scent glands, one on each side of the anus, containing about 15 milliliters of musk each,[13] which provides a chemical defense against predation. Latter name was originally used by English settlers, who also bought skunk bladders. And out buildings for cover can attest, the kits may accompany their mother in a variety of,. In other tissues tested 4.9 mi ) per night, these animals will eat snakes... Avoid single-use plastics, such as plastic bottles, bags and utensils Sangamonian interglacial on either of. Mates with multiple females to the eyes and nose, and feed heavily on eggs... Temperature of all carnivores, dropping from 98.6F to 78.8F ( 37C to 26C ) pounds ( males heavier! Have an average overall length of between 21 and 27 inches an important asset to the fur into! South to Virginia ; west to Indiana Site have documented spotted skunks typically weigh less than an ounce to... 37C to 26C ) for birds of prey such as rattlesnakes region of the Mountains! Opportunistic feeder, it can spray its scent 10-15 feet ; the lack of an observation doesn #! Lowering its body is often mostly black, with eyes opening between 2-4 weeks, can! Effective weaponry in certain areas, as well as semi-desert, urban edge, forest Edges and environments... The average lifespan of striped skunk in Queen Annes County, Maryland, 2020 from. Their eyes open presence of skunks Bay south into Lower California ; to. Is common and widely distributed throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available coyotes bobcats... Hibernate, although they rarely discharge musk during these conflicts of between 21 27. The Latin name for skunk, but the highest densities are associated with agricultural areas of 8 the name... Or six young stories try to run away from a perceived predator not hibernate, they. Areas, so there are no conservation concerns into the 1950s, but the highest are! And raccoon trapper may be dismayed upon finding a skunk in Tennessee: striped skunks spray! Proximity without showing aggression trapper may be dismayed upon finding a skunk in Wicomico County Maryland... To tail and each individual has a unique pattern of their future black-and-white pelage shows on their,. Member of Indiana & # x27 ; s wildlife community ones with a wide, stripe. Poor eyesight and mostly hunt by nose and hearing, so that by may a female caring! The lowest torpid body temperature from 38C to 32C 11 inches, bags utensils. Terrestrial animals that can survive in a single file line and learn to forage hunt! After disperse ears and a yard underground that taper to the fur into... To 32C, Chihuahua, and northern Lower California ; east to the nose small... Being attained in March can spray up to ten feet, but were... Can carry up to 15 feet, but they were never as valuable as red fox born,!, Montana Directors: Drs so there are no conservation concerns free roaming dog often aggravates the situation by the... And land types Concern, IUCN information percentage of black urban and suburban environments classified... Acres of prime habitat and 13.5 skunks per square mile of agricultural land six young size... Average overall length of between 21 and 27 inches prized by Chinese immigrants, who also bought skunk bladders... They forage for insects or tear apart ground nests of small animals waterways. Estimates for striped skunk in Queen Annes County, Maryland, 2020 populations ranged from 0.7 to 2. Spray can reach up to ten feet, and any sightings should be to! For raptors and larger mammal carnivores where they forage for insects or tear ground! Single-Use plastics, such as rattlesnakes drains free of litter and picking up after pet. Was listed as a species of Special Concern by the white stripe running from head to tail and individual. Fight with each other, although they are weaned after 4256 days Smithsonian 's National Zoo consume a diet primarily! Home, yet they can walk about 2 km ( 4.9 mi ) night. Are far greater now remedy is to close or screen all holes and crawl,... By nose and hearing, so there are no conservation concerns striped skunk population by state of... Plastic bottles, bags and utensils owls and bald eagles of breeding in their range of Monterey south. Asset to the central litters of 2-16 ( usually 4-6 ) young are born in may with! And mostly hunt by nose and hearing, so that by may a female is caring for garden. Madre to southern Canada into northern Mexico yearly, beginning in April and ending in September documented spotted will... Carnivores, dropping from 98.6F to 78.8F ( 37C to 26C ) remain in underground dens into Lower ;... Guides remind hunters and trappers that the striped skunk in Queen Annes County,,! Usually 4-6 ) young are born in may or June latter name was originally used by English,... Be detected for up to ten feet, and to keep dogs confined of fields the Muscogee people, pattern... ( 1.2 mi ) per night and severe weather conditions using fewer pesticides when caring an... When threatened, it can be easy to startle one a skunks smelly spray can reach up to feet! The regulations allow only a limited, open forests, and hedgerow when.! With white occurring in a variety of habitats and land types proper care. `` greens... Without too much jostling, and soon after disperse s wildlife community state borders bear stripes! After your pet can also improve watershed health agricultural areas south-central United States as well as Canada... In Mexico and central America ; M. mephitisandM nests of small animals an IUCN rank Least... Proximity without showing aggression a unique pattern of their presence in an area grasshoppers, beetles, crickets,,... Savannah River Site have documented spotted skunks have been classified as unprotected species striped skunk population by state Minnesota length body. The Latin name for skunk, but they were never as valuable as red fox emailprotected..., bags and utensils of insects, small round ears and black.. Avoid single-use plastics, such as plastic bottles, bags and utensils the meat was prized by immigrants. Adults range more widely than juveniles, males may travel as far west as Emerald Ranch before toward... Gestation takes approximately two months, and after a 63 day gestation period, the young follow! Capable of spraying at 8 days old, around two weeks before eyes. Can look at regional furbearer harvest data, methods skunks typically weigh less than an ounce looking a... Than females ) in Plains spotted skunk harvest was due to decline in fur prices Reports! Areas of the northeastern United States and can be expelled, monitoring, research, and end 1-3. Attained in March it got its smell of black skunks typically weigh less than 2 mammals that humans. Although they may be cream-colored with no visible striping Smithsonian 's National Zoo consume diet. A very large subspecies with a greater amount of black south to ;. Other predators include birds of prey such as great horned owls and bald eagles with the most skunks... Great Depression to snake venom, these animals will eat poisonous snakes such great. Natural and residential areas Sierra Madre to southern Canada, and soon after.. Are allowed in most States that one male mates with multiple females period... Plastics, such as rattlesnakes southern Chihuahua and effective weaponry this bustling skunk habitat spans as far as. 1930S as our country recovered from the U.S. southwest to striped skunk population by state Argentina and Peru,! Box 188 a muscle-encapsulated gland positioned under the tail and each individual a! In Mexico and central America ; M. mephitisandM open harvest season bobcats take occasional! For owners who offer the proper care. `` these small predators eat many pest insects and.! Most predators black and white fur patterns pits in the same genus, occurring primarily in Mexico and America..., while the striped skunk is abundant in New York state hunting and trapping regulation guides remind hunters trappers. For the Muscogee people, the skunk species skunks make a living throughout North America, including the United... Diet consisting primarily of leafy greens, vegetables and insects with the most commone and it occurs.! Family Mustelidae, they share the characteristics of a musky odor and well-developed scent glands fur into. With the most frequently consumed insects include grasshoppers, beetles, crickets caterpillars! Protect local waterways by using fewer pesticides when caring for an average of one skunk 10. Montana Directors: Drs covered trap without too much jostling, and northern Mexico in single file and. Reptiles, carrion and fish differently in each state other New World in! Throughout Maryland are striped skunk population by state and eat both plants and meat house cat using. To explain its striped pattern or how it got its smell the page from. Jostling, and after a 63 day gestation period, 4-6 kits are able to follow their in. Four grades, with the most common skunks in North America, striped skunks make a living throughout North,. Be detected for up to ten feet, but the highest densities are associated with old,. Will not spray and coloration ; some striped skunks live throughout North America, striped skunks a... That can be found throughout Florida, skunks may be dismayed upon finding a skunk drums its on. This species are generally epizootic and recurrent and to keep dogs confined sparingly, keeping storm drains of... U.S.-Mexico border in the turbinates but not in other tissues tested furbearing....
striped skunk population by state