SKUNKS:

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

STRIPED SKUNK: Mephitis mephitis

HOODED SKUNK: Mephitis Macroura

SPOTTED SKUNK: Spilogale Putorius

HOG-NOSED SKUNK: Conepatus Mesoleucus

DESCRIPTION:

There are 4 different types of skunks: the hooded skunk, the striped skunk, the spotted skunk, and the scarce hog-nosed skunk. The most common of the four is the striped skunk, which can be found in southern Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico.

The striped skunk has a sleek black coat with two white stripes down the back and one white stripe up the forehead. Its eyes and ears are small, and although its vision is bad, it has a keen sense of hearing. The striped skunk is the size of a small house cat and it weighs 10 pounds.

The white spots and white stripes across its black fur can identify the spotted skunk. Skunks are members of the weasel family, and spotted skunks look very similar to weasels because they are much smaller with more narrow faces than most skunks. Both the spotted skunk and the striped skunk can be found across the Great Plains.

REPRODUCTION:

 Most skunks mate in January and February, and their gestation period is between 62 and 66 days. Skunks will have 3 to 9 babies that are hairless and blind. It takes three weeks for the babies to open their eyes and in two months they are ready to eat the usual foods in a skunk diet! They are able to hunt their own food by the time Fall is near, because the mother skunk takes her babies hunting with her.

EATING AND LIVING HABITS:

Skunks are nocturnal animals that feed on other small animals, insects, birds, eggs, worms, berries, vegetables, roots, and basically anything with a strong, sweat odor.  They like to make their homes in junk piles, under decks and porches, in dead trees, and woodpiles near a water source. At night they come out and hunt for meadow mice, moles, and chipmunks.

Many predators attack the striped skunk such as the badger, coyote, fox, and the bobcat. In order to defend itself, the skunk first warns its enemy by stomping on the ground and snapping its teeth. If this does not help, the skunk will shoot liquid out of its musk glands that has a strong odor. This liquid can burn the eyes of the enemy and leave it blind for enough time for the skunk to escape.

In the fall the skunk drags leaves and sticks into its burrowed cave. When winter comes, the skunk pushes this bundle of leaves and grass to the entrance to keep out the cold air. The skunk does not hibernate, but it does spend most of its time sleeping in its den. Most skunks are quite active all year, but may spend days at a time in a winter den during cold months.

DAMAGE:

After it rains, there are many insects that come to the surface to escape the water. This is when skunks are most attracted to lawns. They will roll up the grass or dig a hole to catch bugs, feed on them, and then make their home under a porch or deck.

When a skunk is removed, unless its food source is also removed, another skunk will come in its place. Skunks are also attracted to garbage because of its sweet smell. Skunks are very messy and cause a lot of damage to decks, foundations, and lawns.

CREDITS:

www.vickifox.com

www.kness.com

www.wildlifesearch.com

Written by Sara Galles, Special Assistant to the Branch Coordinator, ABC Humane Wildlife

OTHER REFERENCES INCLUDE:

MacDonald, David: The Encyclopedia of Mammals; Andromeda Oxford; 1995 (ISBN 1-871869-62-5)