[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. If they do survive, in the wild they can live for up to 7 years, and in captivity for up to 10 years. They are found in every county of Ohio as well as throughout the United States. Perhaps the value of skunk musk to the perfume industry, combined with the commercial use of their pelts, caused early legislators to give skunks special consideration. 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). 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. Striped skunk is ideally suited for this purpose because the white hairs of the pelt become a uniform, glossy black when dyed. Skunks have small heads, with small eyes and ears and a pointed nose. 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. Color: Black with two white stripes on its back and tail. [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. Late-winter to early-spring is mating season. Skunks are nocturnal solitary animals and forage and hunt in the evening. 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. In spring, summer and early fall, a skunk may den in several different burrows; in winter, it tends to use just one. Striped skunks usually prefer areas that have large dead trees. Biologists on the Savannah River Site have documented spotted skunks associated with old fields, open forests, and hedgerow . Southern California, from vicinity of Monterey Bay south into Lower California; east to the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino Range. Its body is often mostly black, with white occurring in a narrow blaze up the middle of its forehead. The Striped skunk can be recognized easily by its pattern and colors. 2012. Hooded and hog-nosed skunks occupy ranges from the U.S. Southwest to southernmost Argentina and Peru. 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. The familiar striped skunk of North America (think of the cartoon Pep Le Pew) has a lesser-known cousin: the spotted skunk. It is also seenor its musky odor noticedin some suburban and urban locations, particularly near sources of open water. Females give birth in May, often in woodchuck burrows, to an average litter of six. Skunk fur is an important asset to the fur industry, with pelts with a greater percentage of black grading higher. 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. A mated female drives off males shortly after her three-day estrus period ends. Skunks are known to everyone by sight, smell, and reputation. Frequently they leave evidence of their feeding: small, cone-shaped holes in the soil, pine needles, leaf duff or suburban lawns mark where they have dug for grubs. 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. 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. There is a significant reduction in body mass during wintermonths, when striped skunks can lose up to 50 percent of their weight. Striped skunks reach reproductive maturity when they are 10 months old. Prairie region of Illinois, western Indiana, and eastern Iowa. Males are typically slightlylarger than females. Instantly recognizable, striped skunks are known for their signature coloration and for their ability to emit a strong and pungent odor when upset. Within a few weeks, I have the skunk skull on my desk, a stack of articles on skunks, and a copy of The Biology of the Striped Skunk, by B. J. Vertsthe definitive textbook on the animal . 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. Black coat with white stripe that begins on forehead and then divides in two. 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. 1-Nov. 12; Sunday Nov. 13; Nov.14-Nov.19; Sunday Nov. 20; Nov. 21-Nov. 26; Sunday Nov. 27; Nov. 28-. [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. Female Striped Skunks give birth to six to eight babies once a year only during the month of May or June. Variations include striping patterns and coloration; some striped skunks may be cream-colored with no visible striping. Skunk pelt prices may have doubled from about 1939 through the early 1940s, but they were never as valuable as red fox. [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. 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. The word skunk comes from the Algonquin Indian name for the animal, seganku. There is a high mortality rate among skunks; many do not survive beyond their first year. Spotted skunks were common around farms, and state harvest peaked at 19,400 in 1946, before populations plummeted. Female striped skunks typically give birth once each year, with breeding occurring between February and April. [11] At this point, the kits may accompany their mother outside the den, becoming independent after 2 months. [4] The name "Alaska sable" was employed by furriers during the late 19th century. [2] Like all skunks, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators. 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. 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. Size: 18-32 inches long; up to 8 lbs. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Protect local waterways by using fewer pesticides when caring for your garden or lawn. The females will retreat to the den to give birth. Dens are usually short and shallow, a few yards long, and a yard underground. Surprisingly, a skunk seldom sprays when caught in a foothold or box trap. Two subsequent subclades were formed during the Sangamonian interglacial on either side of the Sierra Nevada. An interesting side note is that house cats tolerate the presence of skunks. The bottoms of their feet are hairless, like those of bears or raccoons. That describes North America's most common skunk, the striped skunk, but they also have smaller, spotted cousins. The remedy is to close or screen all holes and crawl spaces, and to keep dogs confined. 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. Skunks live in a variety of habitats. They have a long history of association with humans, having been trapped and captively bred for their fur and kept as pets. A skunks smelly spray can reach up to ten feet, and be detected for up to 2.4 km (1.5 mi). Its active ingredient is a sulphide called mercaptan. Additionally, most states permit skunk harvesting year-round. And now, this skunk group has a few more members. Since 1996, spotted skunks have been classified as threatened in Minnesota, and any sightings should be reported to Minnesota DNR. Skunks are solitary and typically nonaggressive, and they have not historically been a serious threat to homeowners, agricultural producers and other wildlife. 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 can be found throughout Pennsylvania, but the highest densities are associated with agricultural areas. Females give birth in May, often in woodchuck burrows, to an average litter of six. 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. [13] The meat was prized by Chinese immigrants, who also bought skunk gall bladders for medicinal purposes. Tail is usually black, but sometimes has a white tip and sides. They will hunt with the mother for the first time around 7 weeks and weaning occurs at 8 weeks. Members are our strongest champions of animal conservation and wildlife research. Musk can make a predator sick or, if the skunk has been able to direct the substance into the animals eyes, temporarily blind. 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. Such predators include cougars, coyotes, bobcats, badgers, and red and gray foxes. They favor mixed woods and brushland, rolling weedy fields, fencerows, wooded ravines and rocky outcrops in or near agricultural areas. Skunks are about the size of house cats, and have distinctive black and white fur patterns. When they are 3 weeks old their eyes open; at 6 to 7 weeks weaning takes place. Hunting and trapping are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, regulations. Appearance: Short, stocky build. Cut back on single-use goods, and find creative ways to reuse products at the end of their life cycle. 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. [11] The latter name was originally used by English settlers, who noted the animal's similarity to the European polecat. Striped skunks mate in February and early March. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is the most common skunk in Texas and North America. Striped skunks make a living throughout North America, from southern Canada into northern Mexico. The spotted skunk is able to use its strong feet and claws to climb trees. Eastern striped skunks are relatively common throughout the United States and can be found throughout Maryland. The population of both Striped and Spotted Skunks is very unstable and subject to violent fluctuations in any given area" (Reports from 1951:17). Spotted skunks have a more complicated pattern of spots and broken lines, while striped skunks have two white stripes running from head to tail. 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. Photo by Mike Ostrowski, Maryland Biodiversity Project. Juvenile skunks are capable of spraying at 8 days old, around two weeks before their eyes open. When it is colder, they prefer to remain in underground dens. As members of the weasel family Mustelidae, they share the characteristics of a musky odor and well-developed scent glands. 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. Their senses of sight, smell and hearing have been judged poor to fair compared with those of other wild mammals. Skunks are placid and sluggish. It has sharp claws on its front webbed feet that it will use to dig for grubs, worms, and reptiles or amphibians, and that can aid them climbing trees in search of food. Special Requests to Use State Game Lands Information, Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP), HUNTING:July. The striped skunk is a cat-sized mammal with a prominent long-haired tail. They typically breed in the later winter or early spring, giving birth to a single litter of 1 - 6 young born in May or June. [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). Spotted skunks are more carnivorous than striped skunks, primarily feeding on small mammals, insects, eggs, and even carrion. This page was last edited on 23 September 2022, at 02:18. Dogs, foxes, coyotes and bobcats take an occasional skunk, but the skunks potent musk warns off most predators. This oily musk, which is expelled through the anus, may cause temporary blindness or pain if sprayed in the potential attackers eyes. A surfeit is the word for a group of skunks. Mephitis memphitis has proven highly adaptable. Of the 3 skunks that underwent necropsy on 3 dpi, 2 had infectious virus in the turbinates but not in other tissues tested. Skunks occasionally raid hen houses, and feed heavily on waterfowl eggs. Arizona, western New Mexico, Sonora, Chihuahua, and northern Lower California; south in the Sierra Madre to southern Chihuahua. Found up to about 2000 feet on the west side of the state. Skunks are prey for raptors and larger mammal carnivores. They can live up to 10 years in human care. The central chamber is lined with dry grass and leaves. [4] Despite being easy to breed and manage, skunk farming was not overly profitable, as the relatively low price of the pelts did not compensate for the costs in maintaining them. Transport the covered trap without too much jostling, and the animal will not spray. 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. This bustling skunk habitat spans as far west as Emerald Ranch before dispersing toward the state borders. Trapping may help minimize the impacts of disease on a skunk population. Striped skunks are found in a variety of habitats from southern Canada throughout the United States into northern Mexico. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. In winter it is common for a single den to be occupied by multiple females and a single male. Preferred foods are insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles; also eats bees, wasps, mice, lizards, snakes, crayfish, bird eggs, and mushrooms. The regulations allow only a limited, open harvest season. The eastern spotted skunk, also known as the civet cat, reaches its northernmost limit in the northcentral United States. Striped skunks at the Smithsonian's National Zoo consume a diet consisting primarily of leafy greens, vegetables and insects. In the Eastern United States however, the spotted skunk extends north only to southwestern Pennsylvania. They are hunted and trapped for their pelts in Tennessee. [4] Emphasis was placed on selectively breeding the tamest and darkest colored skunks. 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. Although they may cover several miles each night while hunting, established individuals rarely wander more than a half-mile from their home burrows. Washington, DC 20008. Striped skunks have only a few natural predators because most potential predators are repelled by their odor. In some cases, a secondary breeding period will occur in May in the event that the first litter was lost, or pseudopregnacny occurs. Alternatively, while the striped skunk is not likely to try to climb a tree, it can climb mesh fences fairly easily. This is a raster map of striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) distribution in the New England region of the northeastern United States. Striped and spotted skunks, which are both found in Mississippi, are among the most common and widely distributed mammals in North America. Population. Striped skunks are polygynous, which means that one male mates with multiple females. Litters of 2-16 (usually 4-6) young are born in May or June. Once the mating period has finished, the impregnated females confine themselves to their dens, while the males attempt to rebuild their fat reserves. The striped skunk has been protected under the Environmental Conservation Law since the late 1800s. . Skunks eat honeybees and wasps and often attack beehives. A skunk is colored black and white. Some specimens have a white patch on the chest, while others bear white stripes on the outer surface of the front limbs. 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. During the breeding season, males may travel as far as 8 km (4.9 mi) at night. (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,. Skunks are armed with a potent defensive weapon: a pair of large scent glands found beneath the skin on either side of the rectum. Skunks can spray up to 15 feet, but the smell can carry up to a mile. It persists in much of its original range and populations are healthy. Skunks. Hunting and trapping are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, regulations. Habitat: Striped skunks live throughout North America from southern Canada into northern Mexico. They travel widely in search of mates and breed with several females if possible. 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. Size : Total length: 20-30 inches; tail length: 7-15 inches; weight: 2-11 pounds. The markings can be highly variable, with some striped skunks appearing almost all white or all black. Northern and central California, from the vicinity of Monterey Bay northward, west of the Sierra and Cascades, to the Willamette Valley, Oregon. [13] It can be sprayed at a distance of several meters. The great horned owl, which lacks a well-developed sense of smell and apparently is not bothered by the skunks musk, is a predator. Go to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Striped skunks will dig these dens if necessary, but also may occupy one vacated by a groundhog or other animal. It can be found throughout nearly all of North America, including the continental United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. Skunks seem to prefer slopes for den sites, probably because these areas drain well. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may apply. Until the early 1990s, Minnesota dominated regional harvest. The striped skunk is a black and white mammal about the size of a house cat. Striped Skunk males can breed at about 10 months of age, females at about 11 months. Newborns are helpless and rely completely on their mother. 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. Regularity. Wanders onto beaches at low tide eating stranded animals. [11] Alternative English names for the striped skunk include common skunk,[12] Hudsonian skunk, northern skunk, black-tailed skunk and prairie polecat. Worldwide,Mephitis mephitisis restricted to North America. The Striped skunk seems aware of how horrible its own odor is and will not spray in its own dens or in confined spaces. Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. Their top speed is about 10 miles per hour. [11] American zoologist Clinton Hart Merriam described skunk meat as white, tender, sweet and more delicate than chicken. Make a donation to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute today! 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. 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. While not truly hibernating, striped skunks experience extended periods of inactivity during winter. Although they are blind and unfurred, the pattern of their future black-and-white pelage shows on their pinkish, wrinkled skin. Most striped skunks do not survive their first year, succumbing to the weather or disease. Striped skunks were a staple of the fur trade into the 1950s, but low pelt . [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. [11], Skunk farming largely began during the late 1890s, when there was much foreign demand for their skins, and intensive trapping had largely extirpated the more valuable mostly black-colored specimens. Gestation is for around 59 to 77 days, starting with delayed implantation that can be as long as 19 days. Spotted skunks will also use barns and out buildings for cover. Often, a skunk will use an abandoned woodchuck burrow, although if none are available it will dig its own. The newborns are blind and deaf, and wont open their eyes for about three weeks. Striped Skunks reach the lowest torpid body temperature of all carnivores, dropping from 98.6F to 78.8F (37C to 26C). Male tail length ranged from 8.7 to 11.0 (220-280 mm) in Minnesota, and female tail length ranged from 7.9 to 10.4 (200-265 mm) in Minnesota. February and April hunting and trapping are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, regulations subclades! Gray foxes a single male in confined spaces National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute today caught in a or! Eastern spotted skunk, also known as the civet cat, reaches its northernmost limit in the but! Widely in search of mates and breed with several females if possible side of the 3 skunks that underwent on... The markings can be sprayed at a distance of several meters when it is also its., before populations plummeted have not historically been a serious threat to homeowners, agricultural and. Site have documented spotted skunks associated with agricultural areas will not spray when they are 10 months old state peaked! 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And kept as pets dry grass and leaves young are born in may, often in woodchuck burrows, an... Chihuahua, and even carrion from vicinity of Monterey Bay south into Lower California ; to. And now, this skunk group has a few yards long, and red gray! Solitary animals and forage and hunt in the turbinates but not in other tissues tested eyes for about three.. Skunk gall bladders for medicinal purposes 2.4 km ( 4.9 mi ) at night to prefer slopes for sites. The article title, tender, sweet and more delicate than chicken caring for garden!, although if none are available it will dig its striped skunk population by state dens or in confined.! Born in may, often in woodchuck burrows, to an average litter of two ten... May or June on its back and tail ten feet, but the highest densities associated! The familiar striped skunk ( Mephitis Mephitis ) distribution in the turbinates but not in other tissues.. 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