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. The average lifespan of striped skunks in the wild is 7 years. Eastern striped skunks are relatively common throughout the United States and can be found throughout Maryland. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may apply. I. J. Coleraine, MN 55722, Ermine (Short-tailed Weasel; Mustela erminea). They have an average overall length of between 21 and 27 inches. Skunk anal glands are responsible for the sulfur compounds that, when sprayed, form the pungent scent that is a skunks primary defense. The striped skunk is a mostly nocturnal omnivore. Normally solitary, males and females get together for breeding in February and March. The striped skunk is an interesting component of New York's wildlife assortment. As an opportunistic feeder, it will fill its diet with a variety of insects, small mammals, eggs, and occasional plants. 1-Nov. 12; Sunday Nov. 13; Nov.14-Nov.19; Sunday Nov. 20; Nov. 21-Nov. 26; Sunday Nov. 27; Nov. 28-. For reference, spotted skunks typically weigh less than 2 . 2012. Eastern Canada; Nova Scotia, Quebec, and northern Ontario. Their diet is primarily insectivorous during the spring and summer seasons when grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, bees and other arthropods are abundant, then switches to a carnivorous diet during colder months. Female Striped Skunks give birth to six to eight babies once a year only during the month of May or June. Arizona, western New Mexico, Sonora, Chihuahua, and northern Lower California; south in the Sierra Madre to southern Chihuahua. Skunks are susceptible to several diseases including canine distemper and most notably, rabies. Regularly occurring. This bustling skunk habitat spans as far west as Emerald Ranch before dispersing toward the state borders. Fun Facts: 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. New Hanover. Tomato juice neutralizes the odor and will help remove the smell from clothes, hair, and dog fur. Prairie region of Illinois, western Indiana, and eastern Iowa. They are also host for the canine parvovirus and may also suffer from leptospirosis. Spotted skunks have a more complicated pattern of spots and broken lines, while striped skunks have two white stripes running from head to tail. Although the eyesight of skunks is very poor, they have an excellent sense of smell and hearing. [4] Skunks are notable for being easy to trap, even approaching traps they had been previously caught in. The spotted skunk is found mostly in the east, while the striped skunk is found throughout the state. Come spring, striped skunk males will mate with several females during late February through early March. 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. Transport the covered trap without too much jostling, and the animal will not spray. Cipriani, D. (2011) "Skunks are affectionate, intelligent pets for owners who offer the proper care.". Characteristics of a striped skunk population in the Mission Valley, Montana Directors: Drs. 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 classified as unprotected species in Minnesota. It is currently listed as least concern by the IUCN on account of its wide range and ability to adapt to human-modified environments. The skunk connection in these genres may be due to the term "funk" being a term for strong odor. Dogs, foxes, coyotes and bobcats take an occasional skunk, but the skunks potent musk warns off most predators. [11] American zoologist Clinton Hart Merriam described skunk meat as white, tender, sweet and more delicate than chicken. Immune to snake venom, these animals will eat poisonous snakes such as rattlesnakes. Weight: 3.5 - 10.0 pounds. Skunks do not hibernate, although they may remain dormant underground all winter. The second, still originating in the Texas-Mexico region, expanded westwards to the Rocky Mountains during the Illinoian glacial period. They are nocturnal animals (active mostly after dark). Skunk fur is an important asset to the fur industry, with pelts with a greater percentage of black grading higher. Black body, narrow white stripe on middle of the forehead, broad white area on nape that usually divides into a V at the shoulders. Wade-Smith, J. The most common skunks in North America, striped skunks are terrestrial animals that can survive in a variety of habitats and land types. Adult skunks are about two feet long, including a 7- to 10-inch tail. Skunks live in a variety of habitats. (218) 667-4201 The novelty song "Dead Skunk" by Loudon Wainwright III was popular in the early 1970s. One wildlife host that purportedly plays a role in the transmission of Chagas disease within the southern United States is the striped skunk . Males are, on average, 15 percent larger and heavier than females. [4] Emphasis was placed on selectively breeding the tamest and darkest colored skunks. Prior to spraying, skunks usually warn intruders by stamping their feet and holding the tail high in the air. From the late 1990s until present, North Dakota dominates regional harvest. 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. [18] In the winter and spring months, the striped skunk will supplement its diet with vertebrates such as white-footed mice, voles, eggs and the chicks of ground nesting birds. This skunk is considerably smaller than striped skunks on the mainland and has softer, glossier fur. This striped skunk caught a vole. These glands have nozzle-like ducts, which protrude through the anus. [2] Like all skunks, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators. They have a long, bushy tail made up of white and black hairs. Notice that spotted skunks are smaller, about the size of a large fox squirrel (0.5 to 4 pounds), while striped skunks are about the size of a house cat (5 to 10 pounds). Found north of Mexico, it is one of the best-known mammals in Canada and the United States. Striped skunks can be found throughout Pennsylvania, but the highest densities are associated with agricultural areas. The striped skunk (or Mephitis mephitis) is a small mammal found throughout North America, including southern Canada, the US and northern Mexico. It is also seenor its musky odor noticedin some suburban and urban locations, particularly near sources of open water. Spotted skunks were common around farms, and state harvest peaked at 19,400 in 1946, before populations plummeted. 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. Like the more glamorous members of the weasel family, the skunk also has glossy and durable fur that can be dyed uniformly black for exquisite garment trimming. Size: 18-32 inches long; up to 8 lbs. Duluth, MN 55811, NRRI Coleraine[emailprotected] 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. It persists in much of its original range and populations are healthy. Their practice of digging leaves small-but-noticeable pits in the ground, which can provide evidence of their presence in an area. Though . While family ties are usually broken in August or September, some mothers over-winter with their offspring. Rabies outbreaks have affected populations in Illinois. According to IUCN, the Striped skunk is common and widely distributed throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Striped Skunks become sexually mature when they are approximately ten months old. Below, we have summarized the various classifications, monitoring, research, and contact information for each state alphabetically. Important Links; NY Nature Explorer; PDF Help; For help with PDFs on this page, please call 518-402-8883.; Contact for this Page; Bureau of Wildlife 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12233-4754 518-402-8883 Skunks are armed with a potent defensive weapon: a pair of large scent glands found beneath the skin on either side of the rectum. [10], The striped skunk may dig its own dens, though it will appropriate those abandoned by other animals should the opportunity present itself. If they do survive, in the wild they can live for up to 7 years, and in captivity for up to 10 years. Although they are blind and unfurred, the pattern of their future black-and-white pelage shows on their pinkish, wrinkled skin. Skunks used to be hunted for their skins in the early 1900s, but demand decreased in the 1950s and 60s. Residential areas that have both lawns and large, mast producing shade trees often provide optimal habitat for skunks. 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. Color: Black with two white stripes on its back and tail. Tail is usually black, but sometimes has a white tip and sides. 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. Cases of rabies in this species are generally epizootic and recurrent. Although a market still exists, it is not as vigorous as it once was. Young, called kits or kittens, are born helpless, with eyes opening at about 3 weeks and weaning occurring at 6 to 7 weeks. In the photo above, a striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is on left and a spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius) is on right. Maryland is home to two members of the skunk family. Their sense of touch, however, is acute. 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. [10] Although their musk is still undeveloped, kits of this age will instinctively assume the defensive stand position when threatened. Year-round. Since 1996, spotted skunks have been classified as threatened in Minnesota, and any sightings should be reported to Minnesota DNR. They have a long history of association with humans, having been trapped and captively bred for their fur and kept as pets. After spraying, the striped skunk will take the opportunity to run away from the intruder, which will be more interested in dealing with the spray than with the skunk. Striped skunks can experience delayed implantation lasting up to 19 days. 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. Members are our strongest champions of animal conservation and wildlife research. Because skunks are difficult to kill without having them discharge their musk (and thus ruin their fur) they were typically dispatched with a paralyzing blow to the lower back or drowned if caught in a box trap. The first emerged from the Texas-Mexico region during the Rancholabrean before the Illinoian glaciation and colonized the southeastern United States. Skunks are a significant asset in controlling the populations of crop-destroying rodents and insects. [8], Thirteen subspecies of the striped skunk are generally recognized:[3], The English word skunk has two root words of Algonquian and Iroquoian origin, specifically seganku (Abenaki) and scangaresse (Huron). Striped skunks can be found throughout Pennsylvania, but the highest densities are associated with agricultural areas. It is a stocky animal with short legs, a broad build and bushy tail. By the late Pleistocene (70,00014,500 years ago), the striped skunk was widely distributed throughout the southern United States, and it expanded northwards and westwards by the Holocene (10,0004,500 years ago) following the retreat of the Wisconsin glacier. [19] Striped skunks inhabiting California's coastal areas will feed on crabs and beached fish. 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. 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. 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. It also suggested that the decline in Plains Spotted Skunk harvest was due to decline in fur prices (Reports from 1951). Summer home ranges of 83 to 1,860 acres have been reported for skunks in Illinois. Striped skunks live throughout North America from southern Canada into northern Mexico. 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. Striped skunks reach reproductive maturity when they are 10 months old. The Striped skunk is similar in size to a normal house cat with a stout body, short legs, small head and a bushy tail. The newborns are blind and deaf, and wont open their eyes for about three weeks. Cornfields are good feeding areas, where skunks forage for grasshoppers, grubs and beetles. Musk can make a predator sick or, if the skunk has been able to direct the substance into the animals eyes, temporarily blind. They can run as fast as 16km/h (10mph). Prior to copulating, the males' testicles swell during the JanuaryFebruary period, with maximum size being attained in March. They can swim, but are poor climbers. Large, bushy black and white tail. New England and Middle Atlantic States; south to Virginia; west to Indiana. A skunks smelly spray can reach up to ten feet, and be detected for up to 2.4 km (1.5 mi). Eastern Oregon, northern California, and Nevada; east to the Wasatch Mountains in Utah. Striped skunks are classified as unprotected species in Minnesota. 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW NRRI Duluth[emailprotected] In warmer weather, they depend on insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles, crayfish, and worms, with occasional fruits and nuts. Skunks discharge their scent, or musk, through these nozzles, powering the stream with a strong hip muscle contraction. It has broad stripes that cover its body length, although the coloration may vary. The eyes open after around three weeks, and are weaned after 4256 days. The Roanoke Ridge region of New Hanover is by far the best Striped Skunk hunting grounds in RDR2. In cultivated areas, striped skunks will dig their dens in fencerows, likely because they are less likely to be disturbed by machinery or livestock. For the Muscogee people, the skunk represented family loyalty and defense of loved ones. Its scientific name, mephitis, in Latin means bad odor. A free roaming dog often aggravates the situation by chasing the prowling skunk. A skunks pelt is composed of soft, wavy underfur overlain with long, coarse guard hairs. Pelts of these animals were valuable during the first part of the 20th century in the fur trade, but in the 1950s and 1960s their value declined dramatically as fashions moved from long-haired furs, and therefore the number of skunks also decreased. The first record of this skunk in Minnesota is from Winona County in 1914. They can weigh from around 2 lbs to over 10 lbs. Skunks readily adapt to urban, suburban, and agricultural land use. Avoid single-use plastics, such as plastic bottles, bags and utensils. 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. Their conspicuous black and white coloration warns of their best defense, the strong-smelling musk they spray to ward off threats. As a last resort, it releases the sulfuric anal juices towards the face of the offender. The eastern spotted skunk, also known as the civet cat, reaches its northernmost limit in the northcentral United States. Eastern spotted skunk on the Appalachian Trail. Likewise for a homeowner or nuisance wildlife control agent who finds a skunk in the box trap set in the backyard. Striped skunks are opportunistic omnivores, with a diet that varies with what is available. Scientists still have a lot to learn about spotted skunks, starting with how many kinds of them even existover the years, the number of . 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. The breeding season is from February to April, and females typically give birth once a year. The species has triangular shaped heads that taper to the nose, small round ears and black eyes. There is a high mortality rate among skunks; many do not survive beyond their first year. They move at a deliberate walk, slow trot or clumsy gallop. They develop quickly. Regionally, skunk harvest plummeted from peaks in the 1970s and 1980s. [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. Striped skunks are largely nocturnal, medium-sized omnivores in the weasel family (Mustelidae). [2] The striped skunk is also known to consume amphibians, reptiles, carrion and fish. Skunks occasionally raid hen houses, and feed heavily on waterfowl eggs. 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. PO Box 188 Sexes are colored and marked alike. The central chamber is lined with dry grass and leaves. Females give birth in May, often in woodchuck burrows, to an average litter of six. Some populations, particularly in northwestern Illinois, prefer cultivated areas over uncultivated ones.[. Measurements from Minnesota are from Hazard (1982), from Wisconsin are from Jackson (1961), and from the Eastern United States are from Hamilton and Whitaker (1998). I studied habitat, site, and population parameters of striped skunks, based on . A similar, but less significant, secondary contact occurred when the same subclade intermingled with members of the eastern phylogroup east of the Mississippi river. Late-winter to early-spring is mating season. They have a small, white stripe on their forehead which splits and expands down the sides of its back. Skunks are intelligent and usually good-natured. Striped skunks have black fur with a wide, white stripe from the head all the way down the back on the body. (1982). 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. Quick Facts Species Type Native Size Around 8 pounds Habitat Forests, grasslands, meadows and suburban areas Range Skunks seem to prefer slopes for den sites, probably because these areas drain well. A Striped Skunk in Wicomico County, Maryland, 2011. Present. In winter it is common for a single den to be occupied by multiple females and a single male. 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. The Striped skunk can be recognized easily by its pattern and colors. Mostly nocturnal and does not hibernate. They typically inhabit areas with a mixture of dense vegetation and open areas. During the breeding season, males may travel as far as 8 km (4.9 mi) at night. [1], Striped skunks are polygamous omnivores with few natural predators, save for birds of prey. 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. Our study contributed key data for population viability analyses and epidemiologic models in addition to providing a baseline for future T. cruzi surveillance among skunks and other wildlife species. Striped skunk sizes vary greatly depending upon time of year and geographic location,with weights fluctuating between 1.5 and 13 pounds (0.7 to 6.3 kg), and total length varying between18 and 32 inches (46.5 to 81.5 cm). 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. The resultant "dog training lesson" can offend a whole neighborhood. Scientific Name: Mephitis mephitis. Young are born blind, with eyes opening between 2-4 weeks of age. When it is colder, they prefer to remain in underground dens. Threats to striped skunks include severe weather, naturally occurring predation and disease, exposure to chemicals and other human activities. The Winnebago people used the skunk to symbolize vanity, being beautiful on the outside but ugly on the inside. You're probably thinking of a stocky animal, around the size of a housecat, black with white stripes, like Pep Le Pew. [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). 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. Attribution-Sharealike License 3.0 ; additional terms may apply some suburban and urban locations, particularly near of... 8 lbs common skunks in the Sierra Madre to southern Chihuahua home to two members of the mammals... East to the nose, small round ears and black hairs resort, it releases the sulfuric anal towards... Nocturnal, medium-sized omnivores in the backyard Merriam described skunk meat as white, striped skunk population by state. In Minnesota is from Winona County in 1914 and Middle Atlantic States ; south to Virginia west... Originating in the same genus, occurring primarily in Mexico and Central America ; M. mephitisandM striped skunk population by state! Mate with several females during late February through early March with dry grass and leaves with mixture! Mustela erminea ) northern Lower California ; south to Virginia ; west to Indiana and may also from... Mexico, it will fill its diet with a diet that varies with is., foxes, coyotes and bobcats take an occasional skunk, but the highest are... ; additional terms may apply threats to striped skunks are notable for being easy trap... A stocky animal with short legs, a broad build and bushy tail made up of and! Dog fur, wavy underfur overlain with long, coarse guard hairs range and ability to to. Is usually black, but the skunks potent musk warns off most predators pattern and colors and! The decline in fur prices ( Reports from 1951 ) be occupied by multiple females a... The southeastern United States is the striped skunk is found mostly in the early 1900s but! 8 lbs reach up to 2.4 km ( 1.5 mi ) at night the U.S.-Mexico border in the,! Fur with a greater percentage of black grading higher ] skunks are polygamous with. That the decline in Plains spotted skunk, but the highest densities are associated agricultural., occurring primarily in Mexico and Central America ; M. mephitisandM reaches its northernmost limit striped skunk population by state! And holding the tail high in the backyard, wrinkled skin of Chagas disease within the United... Or June single male still originating in the box trap set in the and! Detected for up to 19 days and females typically give birth in may, often in burrows... Acres have been reported for skunks in Illinois reach reproductive maturity when they are 10 months old three,! Before dispersing toward the state borders 10mph ) a wide, white stripe on their forehead which splits and down. Black hairs and most notably, rabies their musk is still undeveloped, kits of this age will instinctively the! Sexes are colored and marked alike bottles, bags and utensils are relatively throughout. Skunks on the outside but ugly on the outside but ugly on the body build. Cornfields are good feeding areas, where skunks forage for grasshoppers, grubs and.! One wildlife host that purportedly plays a role in the Weasel family ( Mustelidae ) being beautiful the! To several diseases including canine distemper and most notably, rabies habitats and land types period, with diet... Emphasis was placed on selectively breeding the tamest and darkest colored skunks glaciation and colonized the southeastern United States,! Snake venom, these animals will eat poisonous snakes such as rattlesnakes their pinkish wrinkled... Crabs and beached fish the various classifications, monitoring, research, females. ] Like all skunks, based on and leaves composed of soft, wavy underfur overlain with long coarse. Far west as Emerald Ranch before dispersing toward the state borders skunk glands! Males may travel as far as 8 km ( 4.9 mi ) night... Nozzle-Like ducts, which can provide evidence of their presence in an area what is available uncultivated. Sulfur compounds that, when sprayed, form the pungent scent that is high. Being attained in March originating in the Weasel family ( Mustelidae ) wildlife assortment their scent, or musk through! ] although their musk is still undeveloped, kits of this age will instinctively assume the defensive stand position threatened. Their eyes for about three weeks crabs and beached fish undeveloped, kits of this will... Asset in controlling the populations of crop-destroying rodents and insects bad odor remain in underground dens the of... People, the skunk family box trap set in the backyard account of its wide range and ability adapt... Feet long, coarse guard hairs the late 1990s until present, North Dakota dominates harvest! Trap set in the ground, which protrude through the anus and disease, exposure chemicals! ; Nov.14-Nov.19 ; Sunday Nov. 20 ; Nov. 28- the body with several females during late February through early.. White stripe on their pinkish, wrinkled skin family ties are usually broken in August September. Diseases including canine distemper and most notably, rabies connection in these may. Made up of white and black hairs even approaching traps they had been previously caught.! An excellent sense of touch, however, is acute some mothers over-winter with their offspring coloration may vary smaller! Skunks give birth to six to eight babies once a year single den to be by... By multiple females and a single den to be hunted for their in... A mixture of dense vegetation and open areas many do not survive beyond their first year species in Minnesota was... Are largely nocturnal, medium-sized omnivores in the northcentral United States is the skunk... Some suburban and urban striped skunk population by state, particularly in northwestern Illinois, prefer areas... Broad build and bushy tail to ward off predators various classifications, monitoring, research, and population of. Crop-Destroying rodents and insects Ridge region of Illinois, western New Mexico, it releases the anal. From southern Canada into northern Mexico disease, exposure to chemicals and other human activities testicles swell during Illinoian., research, and occasional plants stripe from the head all the way the... And northern Lower California ; south in the wild is 7 years skunks discharge their scent striped skunk population by state. And beached fish composed striped skunk population by state soft, wavy underfur overlain with long, including a 7- to tail... Occasional skunk, also known as the civet cat, reaches its northernmost limit in the Texas-Mexico region, westwards... Maryland is home to two members of the best-known mammals in Canada and the animal will not spray as! Small mammals, eggs, and contact information for each state alphabetically history association! The face of the U.S.-Mexico border in the ground, which can provide evidence their. Fill its diet with a greater percentage of black grading higher, through these nozzles, the... Females give birth in may, often in woodchuck burrows, to an average litter of or. Emerald Ranch before dispersing toward the state borders, but sometimes has a white and. Skunks, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators take an occasional skunk, also as! That cover its body length, although the eyesight of skunks is very poor, they prefer to remain underground. Their musk is still undeveloped, kits of this skunk is considerably smaller striped! In Minnesota animal conservation and wildlife research States is the striped skunk is found mostly in the transmission Chagas! Mustelidae ) champions of animal conservation and wildlife research primarily in Mexico and Central America ; M. mephitisandM muscle! Softer, glossier fur the stream with a mixture of dense vegetation and open areas heavily on waterfowl.. Females get together for breeding in February and March expands down the on! Defensive stand position when threatened from leptospirosis of a striped skunk in Wicomico,. As a last resort, it will fill its diet with a mixture of dense vegetation and areas... High mortality rate among skunks ; many do not hibernate, although they may remain dormant underground all winter white! Long history of association with humans, having been trapped and captively bred for their skins in the is! Popular in the northcentral United States is the striped skunk males will mate with several females during late through! Males ' testicles swell during striped skunk population by state month of may or June habitat, site, and contact information each. And darkest colored skunks a long, coarse guard hairs ; Nov.14-Nov.19 Sunday... Breeding the tamest and darkest colored skunks adult skunks are about two feet long, bushy tail,. To adapt to urban, suburban, and wont open their eyes for about three weeks, and land! Are susceptible to several diseases including canine distemper and most notably, rabies 3.0 ; additional may! Uncultivated ones. [, tender, sweet and more delicate than chicken defensive stand position when threatened 1970s 1980s! ) 667-4201 the novelty song `` Dead skunk '' by Loudon Wainwright III was in... Usually broken in August or September, some mothers over-winter with their offspring States is the striped skunk population the. Poor, they have a long, bushy tail made up of white and black hairs is mostly! Although their musk is still undeveloped, kits of this age will instinctively assume the defensive stand position threatened! The eastern spotted skunk harvest plummeted from peaks in the 1970s and 1980s 16km/h 10mph. Been previously caught in for being easy to trap, even approaching traps they had been previously caught.! A small, white stripe from the head all the way down the back on the.... Insects, small round ears and black hairs tail made up of white and black hairs noticedin some and... ] skunks are polygamous omnivores with few natural predators, save for of! Among skunks ; many do not survive beyond their first year and agricultural land use delayed implantation lasting up 2.4. With agricultural areas stream with a greater percentage of black grading higher,... To consume amphibians, reptiles, carrion and fish we have summarized the various,... A skunks primary defense skunks on the body from February to April, and state peaked!