[1], Striped skunks are polygamous omnivores with few natural predators, save for birds of prey. Local populations are also affected by severe weather, food scarcities and habitat change. The Striped skunk can be recognized easily by its pattern and colors. 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. And, contrary to popular opinion, it can discharge when hoisted by the tail. The skunk lives in a variety of habitats but prefers open areas. Skunk fur is an important asset to the fur industry, with pelts with a greater percentage of black grading higher. Printable Striped Skunk Wildlife Note (PDF). The odor of this musk was likened by Ernest Thompson Seton to a mixture of perfume musk, essence of garlic, burning sulfur and sewer gas "magnified a thousand times",[11] though Clinton Hart Merriam claimed that it isn't "one tenth" as offensive as that produced by minks and weasels. This page was last edited on 23 September 2022, at 02:18. Striped skunk is ideally suited for this purpose because the white hairs of the pelt become a uniform, glossy black when dyed. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today remain stable. Until the early 1990s, Minnesota dominated regional harvest. As one of the most recognizable mammals anywhere, striped skunks are known for their black fur and characteristic white stripes on their head and down their back. It is marked with a narrow white stripe on the nose, a white crown and white stripes that extend down the back. 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. After 60 days gestation, she bears 2 to 10 young (usually 5 to 7). Though . These skunks only travel about 800 m from their home, yet they can walk about 2 km (1.2 mi) per night. For reference, spotted skunks typically weigh less than 2 . 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. [2] Like all skunks, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators. Large, bushy black and white tail. The second, still originating in the Texas-Mexico region, expanded westwards to the Rocky Mountains during the Illinoian glacial period. They often live in the abandoned dens of other mammals during the day, or take up residence in hollowed logs, brush piles or underneath buildings. Found up to about 2000 feet on the west side of the state. (Mephitis mephitis) belongs to the Mephitidae family, which includes badgers. In cultivated areas, striped skunks will dig their dens in fencerows, likely because they are less likely to be disturbed by machinery or livestock. Skunks molt yearly, beginning in April and ending in September. Gestation is for around 59 to 77 days, starting with delayed implantation that can be as long as 19 days. The novelty song "Dead Skunk" by Loudon Wainwright III was popular in the early 1970s. The Striped skunk is similar in size to a normal house cat with a stout body, short legs, small head and a bushy tail. A skunks pelt is composed of soft, wavy underfur overlain with long, coarse guard hairs. They also prey on woodchucks and other young animals in burrows. [8], Phylogenetic analyses of the species' cytochrome b gene and microsatellite data in 2012 indicated that there are four phylogroups of striped skunk. Skunks are capable of breeding in their first year. [11], The striped skunk is easily tamed and was often kept in barns to kill rats and mice during the 19th century. (females slightly smaller). May stretch the length of the back. Occurrence estimates were calculated from species-specific distribution models fit using expert-opinion data and generalized linear mixed modeling. Cases of rabies in this species are generally epizootic and recurrent. Skunks live in a variety of habitats. Such predators include cougars, coyotes, bobcats, badgers, and red and gray foxes. The bottoms of their feet are hairless, like those of bears or raccoons. Most skunks live two to three years in the wild; in captivity, they have lived 10 years. Striped skunks are common throughout their range. There is a high mortality rate among skunks; many do not survive beyond their first year. Mephitis memphitis has proven highly adaptable. Adult skunks are about two feet long, including a 7- to 10-inch tail. Skunks are vulnerable to a variety of internal and external parasites. A threatened striped skunk will try to run away from a perceived predator. Keystone State. It persists in much of its original range and populations are healthy. The striped skunk Characteristics of a striped skunk population in the Mission Valley, Montana Directors: Drs. Worldwide,Mephitis mephitisis restricted to North America. Male total length ranged from 24.8 to 29.9 (630-760 mm) in Minnesota, and female total length ranged from 21.2 to 25.6 (540-650 mm) in Minnesota. Best places to see in Tennessee: Edges, corners, and fencerows of fields. They are found in every county of Ohio as well as throughout the United States. Body weight ranged from 4.0 lb to 8.8 lb (1.8-4.0 kg) in Wisconsin. 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. In some states, like Florida, skunks may be killed only during a season, but harvests year-round are allowed in most states. 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. The regulations allow only a limited, open harvest season. 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. Other predators include birds of prey such as great horned owls and bald eagles. If threatened, a skunk drums its forefeet on the ground, snarls, arches its back and raises its tail. Skunks are susceptible to distemper and rabies. Docile in nature, they are famous for their defense system of a bad-smelling spray that comes from two glands near the base of their tail. The 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. . Skunks are known to everyone by sight, smell, and reputation. The skunk excels at this potential and can discharge a foul-smelling fluid as a means of defense. At birth, striped skunks weigh less than an ounce. Wildlife researchers have estimated an average of one skunk per 10 acres of prime habitat and 13.5 skunks per square mile of agricultural land. They are nocturnal animals (active mostly after dark). Entirely white skunks, or skunks with the black replaced by seal brown or the white replaced by yellow are also know to occur. They occasionally receive mice, eggs, nuts and select fruits as well. They are easily identifiable by the white stripe running from head to tail and each individual has a unique pattern of stripes. Here, we report the observation of tentative tool use in a wild striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), captured by a trail camera in the front yard of a hobby naturalist who shared the photographs on social media. [4] The name "Alaska sable" was employed by furriers during the late 19th century. They are also host for the canine parvovirus and may also suffer from leptospirosis. Wade-Smith, J. The average lifespan of striped skunks in the wild is 7 years. The skunk's best known feature is its ability to squirt an extremely potent and disagreeable secretion at potential attackers. They move at a deliberate walk, slow trot or clumsy gallop. They may be active even during cold weather, especially during the breeding season. It is about the size of a house cat and has a potent musk that often overshadows the beauty of its glossy and durable fur. A skunk can shoot musk about twelve feet, but will use it as only a last resort, preferring, instead, to bluff an enemy. [11], The musk was once used as a folk remedy for asthma, despite its very strong odor.[12]. [10] The feet are plantigrade with bare soles,[10] and are not as broad or flat as those of hog-nosed skunks. Skunk dens have 1-5 well-hidden entrances, and end in 1-3 rooms lined with vegetation. [11] At this point, the kits may accompany their mother outside the den, becoming independent after 2 months. The striped skunk occurs throughout most lowland areas in Washington, preferring open fields, pastures, and croplands near brushy fencerows, rock outcroppings, and brushy draws. [10] Although their musk is still undeveloped, kits of this age will instinctively assume the defensive stand position when threatened. Often, a skunk will use an abandoned woodchuck burrow, although if none are available it will dig its own. The striped skunk has been protected under the Environmental Conservation Law since the late 1800s. Striped Skunk males can breed at about 10 months of age, females at about 11 months. Reproduction. 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. 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. Striped skunks live throughout North America from southern Canada into northern Mexico. Winter home ranges tend to be smaller than summer home ranges since skunks typically stay close to their dens. [11] American zoologist Clinton Hart Merriam described skunk meat as white, tender, sweet and more delicate than chicken. [22], The striped skunk was once called the "emblem of America" by Ernest Thompson Seton. 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. Names . Phylogeography of striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in North America: Pleistocene dispersal and contemporary population structure. [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. 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. Easily by its pattern and colors and raises its tail Illinoian glacial period ward off.. 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