The striped skunk is an omnivorous mammal, belonging to the skunk family Mephitidae. Native to the North American continent, striped skunks are some of the best known mammals in United States and Canada. They can be identified easily by their white strip that runs from their head to its tail.
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Carnivora
Mephitidae
Mephitis
Mephitis mephitis
Table Of Content
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Carnivora
Mephitidae
Mephitis
Mephitis mephitis
Table of Contents
Sub-species
There are thirteen known sub-species of striped skunks:
M. m. avia Bangs, 1898
M. m. varians Gray, 1837
M. m. holzneri Mearns, 1898
M. m. mesomelas Lichtenstein, 1832
M. m. elongata Bangs, 1895
M. m. estor Merriam, 1890
M. m. major Howell, 1901
M. m. mephitis Schreber, 1776
M. m. nigra Peale and Palisot de Beauvois, 1796
M. m. notata Hall, 1936
M. m. hudsonica Richardson, 1829
M. m. occidentalis Baird, 1858
M. m. spissigrada Bangs, 1898
Physical Description
Striped Skunk
Height: skunks reach a length of 20-30 inches.
Weight: Striped skunks weigh up to 14 pounds.
Tail: their bushy tail is 7-10 inches long
Claws: Striped skunks have long claws on their front feet for digging.
Distribution
Striped skunks are mostly found in Alaska, coastal British Columbia, and the continental United States. Their distribution range begins from central parts of Canada to northern Mexico. They are seen in elevations up to 1800 meters and rarely above 4000 meters. Their range has increased with the cutting of forests throughout North America.
Habitat
Skunks prefer residing on woodlands, grasslands and agricultural lands. They prefer grassland areas when in search of food.
Behavior
Striped skunks are known for having unique behavioral characteristics:
Striped Skunk Photo
Skunks are crepuscular in nature
At morning, they retires to their den
They prefer living in ground burrows of a building boulder
They don’t dig their own burrow and try to find a deserted burrow dug by another animal
They do not hibernate
They are well-known for the way they defend themselves by discharging an awful smell
Diet
Striped skunks are omnivorous, feeding on both meat and plants. This is one of their best adaptive features. Their diet is comprised of insects, fish, fruits, nuts, leaves, grasses and carrion. Skunks also prey on vertebrates like frogs and small mammals like voles, mice, rats and squirrels. During the winter, skunks usually feed on plant matter. Skunks are also often seen seeking human garbage. Rarely are they found acting as scavengers, eating bird and carcasses left by the cats or other animals. Skunks have been known to find their way into a garage or a basement in search of pet food.
Adaptations
Striped skunks are known for their adaptive features:
The first and foremost adaptive feature is their ability to spray a foul-smelling liquid to fend off their predators.
If required, skunks can spray five to eight times during one incident
Their bold coloration serves as a warning to predators.
Their sharp claws allow them to dig insects out of the ground
They spend most of their time in a den
Predators
These skunks do have some natural predators that include the bobcat, great horned owl, fox, and the coyote. They are well known for their method of defending themselves from these predators…
Breeding Season
Their breeding season is February and March. During their breeding season, a male may travel four to five miles each night.
Baby Striped Skunk
Reproduction
Striped skunks breed only once a year. Male skunks are polygamous in nature which means that and they mate with many females in succession. A male skunk approaches a female skunk from the back and then starts smelling the area of the vulva. Then the male skunks grasp the female skunks by their nape and then copulate with her. Once the female becomes pregnant, she will not allow further copulation and will fight off any males who try to mount her. Female skunks that lose their litters may have later mating.
Life Cycle
The young striped skunks are born in the months of May or June. The young skunks that are born are hairless. By 22 days the young ones open their eyes. After eight weeks of nursing, the juvenile starts hunting along with their mothers.
Life Span
The average life span of striped skunk is only 2-4 years in the wild.
Conservation Status
IUCN has enlisted striped skunks in the “least concern” category.
Interesting facts
There are much more to know about this particular species:
Skunks are opportunistic eaters.
They become a nuisance when their burrowing habits conflict with humans.
Their fur is more valuable than all the other skunk species.
When threatened, they rise upon their hind feet and prepare to spray their aggressor.
