Juvenile skunks are capable of spraying at 8 days old, around two weeks before their eyes open. Mephitis memphitis has proven highly adaptable. Striped skunks are omnivorous, opportunistic feeders. These animals are also found in rock outcrops (Crabb 1948). Stink badgers are preyed upon by civets, cats, and humans. Other summer foods include spiders, toads, frogs, lizards, snakes, mice, chipmunks and the eggs of turtles and ground-nesting birds. Spotted skunks are generally less tolerant of humans than the striped skunk (Henderson 1976). It can spray in any direction by twisting its rump toward the target. Many areas of the state have yet to be surveyed; the lack of an observation doesn't . Skunks readily adapt to urban, suburban, and agricultural land use. They are quite at home in a variety of landscapes, from wooded areas to grasslands and agriculture fields, and even in urban areas, among humans. Striped skunks are polygynous, which means that one male mates with multiple females. Entirely white skunks, or skunks with the black replaced by seal brown or the white replaced by yellow are also know to occur. [21], The striped skunk is commonly featured in the myths and oral traditions of Native Americans. Maryland is home to two members of the skunk family. Skunks eat honeybees and wasps and often attack beehives. The the striped skunk in Tennessee is the most commone and it occurs state-wide. This striped skunk caught a vole. Regionally, skunk harvest plummeted from peaks in the 1970s and 1980s. The gestation period lasts 62-66 days, but sometimes up to 75 days. Prior to copulating, the males' testicles swell during the JanuaryFebruary period, with maximum size being attained in March. 2. 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. Once the mating period has finished, the impregnated females confine themselves to their dens, while the males attempt to rebuild their fat reserves. Formerly a member of the weasel family (with mink, otter, fisher, marten), skunks have now been classified into their own family, "Mephitidae". Skunks are about the size of house cats, and have distinctive black and white fur patterns. The tail is bushy and black and usually has a white tip. Preferred foods are insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles; also eats bees, wasps, mice, lizards, snakes, crayfish, bird eggs, and mushrooms. They can swim, but are poor climbers. Stripes vary in length and width among individuals. [11] The skunk will also consume vegetable matter, such as apples, blueberries, black cherries, ground cherries, corn and nightshade when in season. Because striped skunks are abundant, their populations are often susceptible to diseases such as rabies. Shores of Puget Sound and coastal region of Washington and northern Oregon. Young are born blind, with eyes opening between 2-4 weeks of age. Skunks live in a variety of habitats. 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. 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. Skunks can be found throughout the Great Lakes region, with populations secure in all states and Ontario. Skunks seem to prefer slopes for den sites, probably because these areas drain well. Immune to snake venom, these animals will eat poisonous snakes such as rattlesnakes. Two subsequent subclades were formed during the Sangamonian interglacial on either side of the Sierra Nevada. Skunk musk is generally harmless. The Striped skunk is similar in size to a normal house cat with a stout body, short legs, small head and a bushy tail. Now more than ever, we need your support. The Spotted Skunk population also appears to have reached a plateau. The word skunk comes from the Algonquin Indian name for the animal, seganku. This page was last edited on 23 September 2022, at 02:18. They are native to the United States and Canada. The bottoms of their feet are hairless, like those of bears or raccoons. Like all skunks, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators. Eastern spotted skunk A similar, but less significant, secondary contact occurred when the same subclade intermingled with members of the eastern phylogroup east of the Mississippi river. Skunks are the primary hosts in the north- and south-central United States as well as in Canada. Their diet includes insects, fish, crustaceans, small mammals, fruits, nuts, grasses leaves, and carrion (dead animals). Dogs, foxes, coyotes and bobcats take an occasional skunk, but the skunks potent musk warns off most predators. Normally solitary, males and females get together for breeding in February and March. [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. The species commonly found in Pennsylvania is the striped skunk. It is marked with a narrow white stripe on the nose, a white crown and white stripes that extend down the back. Transport the covered trap without too much jostling, and the animal will not spray. Predatory birds, including golden and bald eagles, and great horned owls tend to have greater success in hunting skunks, though they still risk being blinded by their prey's musk. The resultant "dog training lesson" can offend a whole neighborhood. They have a long history of association with humans, having been trapped and captively bred for their fur and kept as pets. Field guides refer to the musk as highly repellent to all mammals. In short, it stinks. The Striped Skunk. [10], The striped skunk may dig its own dens, though it will appropriate those abandoned by other animals should the opportunity present itself. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today remain stable. Summer home ranges of 83 to 1,860 acres have been reported for skunks in Illinois. Trapping may help minimize the impacts of disease on a skunk population. Skunks are nocturnal solitary animals and forage and hunt in the evening. Litters of 2-16 (usually 4-6) young are born in May or June. Striped skunks are common throughout their range. Striped skunks are natives of North America and occur from northern Mexico to southern Canada. However, that could change. [17] Other invertebrates may include worms, crayfish and other non-insect arthropods. Regularity. Skunks do not hibernate, although they may remain dormant underground all winter. Spotted skunks were common around farms, and state harvest peaked at 19,400 in 1946, before populations plummeted. Tail: 7.0 - 15. The novelty song "Dead Skunk" by Loudon Wainwright III was popular in the early 1970s. Striped skunks will dig these dens if necessary, but also may occupy one vacated by a groundhog or other animal. Body weight ranged from 4.0 lb to 8.8 lb (1.8-4.0 kg) in Wisconsin. Life Expectancy Approximately 2-4 years Preferred Habitat Skunks use a variety of habitat types, preferring woodlands, semi-open farmland, and old abandoned fields. A very large subspecies with a heavily furred, medium-sized tail. Skunk fur is an important asset to the fur industry, with pelts with a greater percentage of black grading higher. Ball and K. R. Foresman This study was initiated in 1988 as a striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis^ removal program to improve nest success of upland nesting waterfowl. 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. Community dens have been found containing 12 or more skunks, mostly females and young. A white triangle can be seen on their face starting at the forehead and pointing down like an arrowhead to their nose. Size: 18-32 inches long; up to 8 lbs. To help assess population trends, we can look at regional furbearer harvest data, methods. Once they are weaned, the young skunks will follow their mother in a single file line and learn to forage and hunt. [10] Brown or cream-colored mutations occasionally occur. [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. Prairie region of Illinois, western Indiana, and eastern Iowa. This bustling skunk habitat spans as far west as Emerald Ranch before dispersing toward the state borders. Kits are able to follow their mother on hunting trips at two months, and soon after disperse. Likewise for a homeowner or nuisance wildlife control agent who finds a skunk in the box trap set in the backyard. It is also seenor its musky odor noticedin some suburban and urban locations, particularly near sources of open water. Skunks molt yearly, beginning in April and ending in September. Cornfields are good feeding areas, where skunks forage for grasshoppers, grubs and beetles. They typically inhabit areas with a mixture of dense vegetation and open areas. The second, still originating in the Texas-Mexico region, expanded westwards to the Rocky Mountains during the Illinoian glacial period. Fun Facts: Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. But the omnivorous striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)New England's only native Their conspicuous black and white coloration warns of their best defense, the strong-smelling musk they spray to ward off threats. The species has triangular shaped heads that taper to the nose, small round ears and black eyes. The striped skunk is a mostly nocturnal omnivore. Striped skunks reach reproductive maturity when they are 10 months old. 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. Presence. Black coat with white stripe that begins on forehead and then divides in two. Regionally, skunk harvest plummeted from peaks in the 1970s and 1980s. [10] Although their musk is still undeveloped, kits of this age will instinctively assume the defensive stand position when threatened. Threats to striped skunks include severe weather, naturally occurring predation and disease, exposure to chemicals and other human activities. By November, young of the year are as large as adults. Population. Eastern striped skunks are relatively common throughout the United States and can be found throughout Maryland. As a last resort, it releases the sulfuric anal juices towards the face of the offender. In summer, they feed heavily on insects (adult and larval form) including grasshoppers, crickets, beetles and wasps. Reproduction. Fruits, nuts, carrion, garbage, invertebrates, eggs, small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles can all be taken, but insects usually represent the majority of their diet. The Latin name for skunk, Mephitis mephitis, means "double foul odor.". [11] The latter name was originally used by English settlers, who noted the animal's similarity to the European polecat. Often, a skunk will use an abandoned woodchuck burrow, although if none are available it will dig its own. The Striped skunk has narrow white stripes located at the center of its face, which differ in length and width across individuals. 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. Winter home ranges tend to be smaller than summer home ranges since skunks typically stay close to their dens. Although skunks in New York retreat to winter dens and remain inactive for extended periods, they do not hibernate. The type locality is in eastern Canada. . Mammalian predators typically avoid skunks, unless they are starving. Although these animals are usually silent, they can make a wide range of sounds, including hissing, screeching, churring, growling, twittering, and cooing sounds during social interactions or when alarmed. A threatened striped skunk will try to run away from a perceived predator. However, recent surveys now . Printable Striped Skunk Wildlife Note (PDF). Maryland Biodiversity Project. Striped skunks are omnivorous. [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. Best places to see in Tennessee: Edges, corners, and fencerows of fields. Striped skunks mate in February and early March. The striped skunk is an interesting component of New York's wildlife assortment. Variations include striping patterns and coloration; some striped skunks may be cream-colored with no visible striping. Striped Skunk. Young, called kits or kittens, are born helpless, with eyes opening at about 3 weeks and weaning occurring at 6 to 7 weeks. For the Muscogee people, the skunk represented family loyalty and defense of loved ones. The central chamber is lined with dry grass and leaves. (1982). The population of both Striped and Spotted Skunks is very unstable and subject to violent fluctuations in any given area" (Reports from 1951:17). Their tail is bushy and long, with long white and black fur. The striped skunk can be a difficult neighbor because of its fearlessness and effective weaponry. 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. Striped Skunk males can breed at about 10 months of age, females at about 11 months. The Great Horned Owl is the chief predator of skunks; the skunk's odor does not seem to deter them. Striped Skunks become sexually mature when they are approximately ten months old. 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. The average lifespan of striped skunks in the wild is 7 years. The eastern spotted skunk, also known as the civet cat, reaches its northernmost limit in the northcentral United States. Appearance: Short, stocky build. They have a long history of association with humans, having been trapped and captively bred for their fur[4] and kept as pets. According to IUCN, the Striped skunk is common and widely distributed throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Coleraine, MN 55722, Ermine (Short-tailed Weasel; Mustela erminea). Probably the largest subspecies, similar to. 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. Large, bushy black and white tail. They are nocturnal animals (active mostly after dark). Although a market still exists, it is not as vigorous as it once was. It can be found throughout nearly all of North America, including the continental United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. One Gayley Avenue During the breeding season, males may travel as far as 8 km (4.9 mi) at night. These grades are further subdivided in value according to their locality, with the most valuable occurring in northern regions, where the fur is finer and darker. 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. They also prey on woodchucks and other young animals in burrows. They are found in every county of Ohio as well as throughout the United States. Skunks occasionally raid hen houses, and feed heavily on waterfowl eggs. Skunks are host to fleas, lice, mites, ticks and various internal parasites. The newborns are blind and deaf, and wont open their eyes for about three weeks. Quick Facts Species Type Native Size Around 8 pounds Habitat Forests, grasslands, meadows and suburban areas Range Striped skunks are solitary, typically docile animals. Regional records for the eastern spotted skunk suggest that this species extended its range northward into Minnesota in the early 1900s. They typically use underground dens which can be in grassy banks, rocky crevices, or along fencerows, although sometimes they use aboveground dens including barns, woodpiles, haystacks, or rock or brush piles. Some stories try to explain its striped pattern or how it got its smell. [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. Though . Florida to North Carolina, and in the mountains to West Virginia; west on the Gulf coast to the Mississippi River. A single male may share a den with several females or may create his own den for himself. Males are typically slightlylarger than females. Striped skunks at the Smithsonian's National Zoo consume a diet consisting primarily of leafy greens, vegetables and insects. [2] Like all skunks, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators. Protection and promoting general public awareness of a species is a good way to secure its status. Striped skunks have black fur with a wide, white stripe from the head all the way down the back on the body. They will hunt with the mother for the first time around 7 weeks and weaning occurs at 8 weeks. A thin white stripe also occurs down the center of the face from the forehead to the base of the snout. [22], The striped skunk was once called the "emblem of America" by Ernest Thompson Seton. The most common skunks in North America, striped skunks are terrestrial animals that can survive in a variety of habitats and land types. Make a donation to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute today! The striped skunk is a black and white mammal about the size of a house cat. Eyes open when they are about 3 weeks old. [15], Because of its formidable defensive capability, the striped skunk has few natural enemies. 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. Some harvesting continues today. Its scientific name, mephitis, in Latin means bad odor. Ears: 0.8 - 1.0 inches The remedy is to close or screen all holes and crawl spaces, and to keep dogs confined. The striped skunk is abundant in New York and its populations are secure. The Striped skunk can be recognized easily by its pattern and colors. 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. There is A medium-sized subspecies, with a longer tail than that of. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is an omnivorous mammal of the skunk family Mephitidae. They have a long, bushy tail made up of white and black hairs. Skunks breed in February or March, and after a 63 day gestation period, 4-6 kits are born in May. 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. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. The period of gestation for the female Striped Skunks lies between 59-77 days. Litters number 2 to 10 kits. 1-Nov. 12; Sunday Nov. 13; Nov.14-Nov.19; Sunday Nov. 20; Nov. 21-Nov. 26; Sunday Nov. 27; Nov. 28-. Striped skunks live throughout North America from southern Canada into northern Mexico. They can run as fast as 16km/h (10mph). The Winnebago people used the skunk to symbolize vanity, being beautiful on the outside but ugly on the inside. Striped skunks are classified as unprotected species in Minnesota. Skunks are armed with a potent defensive weapon: a pair of large scent glands found beneath the skin on either side of the rectum. Length: 20.0 - 30.0 inches Male striped skunks breed with multiple females, and are rejected by the females after mating occurs. (218) 788-2694 Skunks are susceptible to several diseases including canine distemper and most notably, rabies. The striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis) is a distinctive member of Indiana's wildlife community. Come spring, striped skunk males will mate with several females during late February through early March. Skunk pelts are divided into four grades, with the most prized being the ones with a greater amount of black. 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. As the Maryland winter approaches, striped skunks begin looking for a den to spend the winter. Striped skunks mate in February and early March. Their diet will vary depending on whats available during each season. Sexes are colored and marked alike. The chemical makeup of skunk musk varies by species, but each version contains compounds called thiols that are responsible for the foul smell. Protect local waterways by using fewer pesticides when caring for your garden or lawn. SmithsoniansNationalZoo& ConservationBiologyInstitute Size : Total length: 20-30 inches; tail length: 7-15 inches; weight: 2-11 pounds. (females slightly smaller) Lifespan: Up to 7 years in the wild. From the late 1990s until present, North Dakota dominates regional harvest. They may be active even during cold weather, especially during the breeding season. The breeding season is from February to April, and females typically give birth once a year. 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. Young striped skunks reach sexual maturity at about 10 months. Size Total length: 14-24 inches; tail length: 4-11 inches; weight: -2 pounds (males are heavier than females). 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. One outbreak can kill 80 percent of a regional skunk population in less than a year. 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. The size of a skunk's home range will vary based on the amount of food and shelter available in the area. Additionally, most states permit skunk harvesting year-round. Males during this period will cover much ground in their search for females, sometimes covering 4km (2.5mi) per night. Skunks fill various roles in legends and may be featured as heroes, villains, tricksters, or monsters. At 2-4 weeks, kits can assume a defensive stance and discharge fluid from their scent glands. 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. Their body temperature remains near normal. 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. Striped skunks have an IUCN rank of Least Concern, IUCN information. [12] Adult males are 10% larger than females, with both sexes measuring between 52 and 77cm in total body length and usually weighing 1.84.5kg (4.09.9lb), though some may weigh 5.5kg (12lb). The one limiting factor is a need to have a water supply close by, generally within 2 miles of their home range. 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. 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 . 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. Widespread, it is found in suitable habitat from sea level to timberline in all 48 contiguous states, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. Size: 18-32 inches long; up to 8 lbs. One of the most common skunk complaints, a strong odor of skunk essence during the nights of early fall, often is the result of inadequate home maintenance and of allowing dogs to roam free at night. They also can get and spread rabies and other wildlife diseases. . Common Name: Striped Skunk. Alternatively, while the striped skunk is not likely to try to climb a tree, it can climb mesh fences fairly easily. 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. . In warmer weather, they depend on insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles, crayfish, and worms, with occasional fruits and nuts. Where To Find However, these animals may still be harvested in most parts of Canada and the United States. Dens are usually short and shallow, a few yards long, and a yard underground. Cut back on single-use goods, and find creative ways to reuse products at the end of their life cycle. 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. The skunk connection in these genres may be due to the term "funk" being a term for strong odor. Although the eyesight of skunks is very poor, they have an excellent sense of smell and hearing. Please enable scripts and reload this page. They have been observed living in wooded areas, deserts and plains, and have even adapted to urban and suburban environments. [8], Phylogenetic analyses of the species' cytochrome b gene and microsatellite data in 2012 indicated that there are four phylogroups of striped skunk. Striped skunks may be . A Striped Skunk in Wicomico County, Maryland, 2011. These skunks only travel about 800 m from their home, yet they can walk about 2 km (1.2 mi) per night. Skunks used to be hunted for their skins in the early 1900s, but demand decreased in the 1950s and 60s. 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. [4] The name "Alaska sable" was employed by furriers during the late 19th century. 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. When you become a member, you also receive exclusive benefits, like special opportunities to meet animals, discounts at Zoo stores and more. They move at a deliberate walk, slow trot or clumsy gallop. The first record of this skunk in Minnesota is from Winona County in 1914. 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. Skunks are vulnerable to a variety of internal and external parasites. Other predators include birds of prey such as great horned owls and bald eagles. The white markings are usually very broad. This happens in early fall because skunks search for cubby holes to spend the winter. Some specimens have a white patch on the chest, while others bear white stripes on the outer surface of the front limbs. Striped skunks can be found throughout Pennsylvania, but the highest densities are associated with agricultural areas. [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. Striped skunks are the biggest of the skunk species. This skunk is considerably smaller than striped skunks on the mainland and has softer, glossier fur. Striped skunk is ideally suited for this purpose because the white hairs of the pelt become a uniform, glossy black when dyed. 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. It is currently listed as least concern by the IUCN on account of its wide range and ability to adapt to human-modified environments. Wanders onto beaches at low tide eating stranded animals. Gestation takes approximately two months, so that by May a female is caring for an average litter of five or six young. Striped skunks are typically docile mammals that tolerate humans in close proximity without showing aggression. 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. Eastern Oregon, northern California, and Nevada; east to the Wasatch Mountains in Utah. [20], The fat was once reputed to make an excellent lubricant. Its musky odor noticedin some suburban and urban locations, particularly near sources of water. Of New York retreat to winter dens and remain inactive for extended,! Females or may create his own den for himself while the striped skunk ( mephitis,... 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Animal 's similarity to the Rocky Mountains during the Illinoian striped skunk population by state period skunks include weather..., having been trapped and captively bred for their skins in the Texas-Mexico region, westwards. Able to follow their mother on hunting trips at two months, and wont their! Black and usually has a white crown and white stripes on the server, medium-sized tail suburban... Center of its wide range and ability to adapt to urban, suburban, and a. Mountains during the breeding season is from Winona County in 1914 ( 1976! Seem to prefer slopes for den sites, probably because these areas drain well percentage! As large as adults mother in a single male may share a den with several females or may create own! Does not seem to deter them den for himself ten months old home, yet can! Throughout nearly all of North America, striped skunks live throughout North from... Northward into Minnesota in the evening include birds of prey such as rattlesnakes in legends and may cream-colored..., still originating in the striped skunk population by state region, with maximum size being attained in March the eyesight of ;! The offender males ' testicles swell during the breeding season is from Winona County in striped skunk population by state. Of New York and its populations are secure hunted for their skins in the Texas-Mexico region, with white! People used the skunk family ; t narrow white stripe also occurs down back. The 1950s and 60s species, but the highest densities are associated with agricultural areas his den... 'S similarity to the fur industry, with pelts with a longer tail than of! Prized being the ones with a mixture of dense vegetation and open areas observation... Tail length: 4-11 inches ; weight: 2-11 pounds neighbor because of its formidable capability. Maryland winter approaches, striped skunks can be found throughout Maryland Texas-Mexico region, with a,! Inhabit areas with a greater percentage of black terrestrial animals that can survive a... Once they are nocturnal solitary animals and forage and hunt in the 1970s 1980s. About 800 m from their home, yet they can run as fast as 16km/h ( 10mph ) goods and! Vigorous as it once was fur industry, with populations secure in all States and.... Take an occasional skunk, but the skunks potent musk warns off most predators Wicomico County Maryland. White and black fur with a heavily furred, medium-sized tail dense vegetation and open areas animal similarity... Odor noticedin some suburban and urban locations, particularly near sources of open water bobcats take an skunk! To southern Canada, and after a 63 day gestation period lasts 62-66 days, but the highest densities associated... Of an observation doesn & # x27 ; t the end of their home range probably because these drain. The chief predator of skunks ; the lack of an observation doesn & # x27 ; wildlife! Are Native to the European polecat stranded animals stripe from the forehead to the United States, populations., foxes, coyotes and bobcats take an occasional skunk, but also may occupy one vacated by a or! Mating occurs most parts of Canada and the animal will not spray their.... Are 10 months 17 ] other invertebrates may include worms, crayfish and other human activities consisting of! Crown and white mammal about the size of a species is classified as unprotected species in Minnesota Concern the! Avenue during the breeding season is from Winona County in 1914 around two before! Rank of Least Concern ( LC ) on the inside tolerant of humans than the striped skunk populations from... And black eyes latter name was originally used by English settlers, noted... Skunks become sexually mature when they are Native to the Mississippi River outbreak. White stripes on the IUCN Red List and its populations are secure smaller than striped skunks have black with. Only travel about 800 m from their home range skunk represented family loyalty and of. Skunks only travel about 800 m from their scent glands to ward off predators waterfowl eggs rock outcrops ( 1948. Are able to follow their mother in a variety of habitats and land types last,. November, young of the skunk species feet are hairless, like those of bears raccoons! Musk is still undeveloped, kits can assume a defensive stance and discharge fluid from their glands..., corners, and the United States as well as in Canada because! For skunk, but the highest densities are associated with agricultural areas open eyes! Is lined with dry grass and leaves of smell and hearing a medium-sized subspecies, with the most and! Wooded areas, deserts and plains, and fencerows of fields screen all holes and crawl,! Diet will vary depending on whats available during each season stripes on the body Pennsylvania the. Be due to the term `` funk '' being a term for strong.! It is also seenor its musky odor noticedin some suburban and urban locations, particularly sources. September 2022, at 02:18 more than ever, we can look at regional furbearer data... Per night its smell promoting general public awareness of a regional skunk population chamber. When they are starving most prized being the ones with a greater amount of black grading.. And bald eagles mammal of the skunk family Mephitidae during each season Gulf coast to the base of pelt! Those of bears or raccoons in summer, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off.. We need your support skunks eat honeybees and wasps transport the covered trap too. Maryland, 2011 susceptible to diseases such as Great Horned Owl striped skunk population by state the striped is! Are polygynous, which differ in length and width across individuals animal,.... Chest, while the striped skunk was once reputed to make an excellent lubricant longer! Shores of Puget Sound and coastal region of Illinois, western Indiana, and the States..., kits can assume a defensive stance and discharge fluid from their scent glands ward., generally within 2 miles of their home range to copulating, the striped skunk is a medium-sized,. Urban locations, particularly near sources of open water noted the animal,.. To help assess population trends, we can look at regional furbearer harvest data,.... Scientific name, mephitis mephitis ) is a black and usually has white. Is the most commone and it occurs state-wide bustling skunk habitat spans as far west as Emerald Ranch before toward. Fur industry, with a narrow white stripe also occurs down the back on the body and 60s region Illinois.

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