While not truly hibernating, striped skunks experience extended periods of inactivity during winter. Skunks are about the size of house cats, and have distinctive black and white fur patterns. They can weigh from 6 to 14 pounds. Gestation is for around 59 to 77 days, starting with delayed implantation that can be as long as 19 days. The width of this stripe and the amount of white on the tail may vary from one skunk to another. Field guides refer to the musk as highly repellent to all mammals. In short, it stinks. They do not hibernate, and may forage for food occasionally during the season, but generally rely on their fat reserves to see them through the winter. There's no reason to specify; you will undoubtedly find a few skunks just by traveling up and down the eastern side of the state. It is found all across the state. Large, bushy black and white tail. Summer home ranges of 83 to 1,860 acres have been reported for skunks in Illinois. SmithsoniansNationalZoo& ConservationBiologyInstitute Some stories try to explain its striped pattern or how it got its smell. 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. Ball and K. R. Foresman This study was initiated in 1988 as a striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis^ removal program to improve nest success of upland nesting waterfowl. After 60 days gestation, she bears 2 to 10 young (usually 5 to 7). A skunk can shoot musk about twelve feet, but will use it as only a last resort, preferring, instead, to bluff an enemy. In colder weather, they may eat voles, young birds, or bird eggs. They also prey on woodchucks and other young animals in burrows. [11], The striped skunk is easily tamed and was often kept in barns to kill rats and mice during the 19th century. 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. Their diet will vary depending on whats available during each season. Cipriani, D. (2011) "Skunks are affectionate, intelligent pets for owners who offer the proper care.". The striped skunk is a black and white mammal about the size of a house cat. 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). Skunks can be found throughout the Great Lakes region, with populations secure in all states and Ontario. Mephitis memphitis has proven highly adaptable. Striped skunks have black fur with a wide, white stripe from the head all the way down the back on the body. They typically inhabit areas with a mixture of dense vegetation and open areas. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Protect local waterways by using fewer pesticides when caring for your garden or lawn. [10], The striped skunk may dig its own dens, though it will appropriate those abandoned by other animals should the opportunity present itself. Most skunks live two to three years in the wild; in captivity, they have lived 10 years. But the omnivorous striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)New England's only native However, these animals may still be harvested in most parts of Canada and the United States. Striped skunk is ideally suited for this purpose because the white hairs of the pelt become a uniform, glossy black when dyed. It is marked with a narrow white stripe on the nose, a white crown and white stripes that extend down the back. Without doubt, the most widely recognized characteristic of the Striped skunk is the pungent odor of the musk that it produces. The population of both Striped and Spotted Skunks is very unstable and subject to violent fluctuations in any given area" (Reports from 1951:17). Often smelled before they are seen, skunks produce an obnoxious scent when provoked. (Verts, 1967). After a gestation period of 59 to 77 days, a litter of two to ten skunks is born. Of the 3 skunks that underwent necropsy on 3 dpi, 2 had infectious virus in the turbinates but not in other tissues tested. They have been observed living in wooded areas, deserts and plains, and have even adapted to urban and suburban environments. [10], When a male locates a female, he will approach her from the rear and lick her genitals, then bite her on the nape before copulating. A mated female drives off males shortly after her three-day estrus period ends. They have a small, white stripe on their forehead which splits and expands down the sides of its back. Skunks are chiefly nocturnal, hunting from dusk until dawn, except during the breeding season when they are frequently observed during daylight hours. The striped skunk (or Mephitis mephitis) is a small mammal found throughout North America, including southern Canada, the US and northern Mexico. 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. The one limiting factor is a need to have a water supply close by, generally within 2 miles of their home range. Skunks have been the most commonly confirmed rabies species, other than raccoons, during the spread of raccoon rabies throughout Southern New York. Young striped skunks reach sexual maturity at about 10 months. Striped skunks are opportunistic omnivores, with a diet that varies with what is available. 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. 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). Spotted skunks will also use barns and out buildings for cover. 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. Total length averaged 23.1 (586 mm), ranging from 17.6 to 25 (447-635 mm) in the Eastern United States, and ranged from 21.3 to 29.5 (540-750 mm) in Wisconsin. They move at a deliberate walk, slow trot or clumsy gallop. (Mephitis mephitis) belongs to the Mephitidae family, which includes badgers. Normally solitary, males and females get together for breeding in February and March. As an opportunistic feeder, it will fill its diet with a variety of insects, small mammals, eggs, and occasional plants. [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. [4] Emphasis was placed on selectively breeding the tamest and darkest colored skunks. Description. This page is available in other languages. When available, natural cavities are preferred over dug dens; dens are usually on slopes with good drainage. After mating, the female no longer associates with the male and becomes aggressive towards him through vocalizing, stamping her feet and sometimes fighting. 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. Coyotes, foxes, owls, bobcat and fisher will prey on skunks, and collisions with cars are a common cause of skunk deaths. Photo by Lori Byrne, They occasionally receive mice, eggs, nuts and select fruits as well. Tail: 7.0 - 15. Best places to see in Tennessee: Edges, corners, and fencerows of fields. And now, this skunk group has a few more members. Scientists still have a lot to learn about spotted skunks, starting with how many kinds of them even existover the years, the number of . Now more than ever, we need your support. Skunks have poor eyesight and mostly hunt by nose and hearing, so it can be easy to startle one. 5013 Miller Trunk Hwy Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_skunk, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/41635/0. Habitat: Shores of Puget Sound and coastal region of Washington and northern Oregon. A thin white stripe also occurs down the center of the face from the forehead to the base of the snout. It is also seenor its musky odor noticedin some suburban and urban locations, particularly near sources of open water. Formerly a member of the weasel family (with mink, otter, fisher, marten), skunks have now been classified into their own family, "Mephitidae". Striped skunks are natives of North America and occur from northern Mexico to southern Canada. Skunks are host to fleas, lice, mites, ticks and various internal parasites. [10] Although their musk is still undeveloped, kits of this age will instinctively assume the defensive stand position when threatened. Life Expectancy Approximately 2-4 years Preferred Habitat Skunks use a variety of habitat types, preferring woodlands, semi-open farmland, and old abandoned fields. As many outdoors enthusiasts or dog owners can attest, the striped skunks spray is a truly memorable experience. Arizona, western New Mexico, Sonora, Chihuahua, and northern Lower California; south in the Sierra Madre to southern Chihuahua. A white triangle can be seen on their face starting at the forehead and pointing down like an arrowhead to their nose. 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. Other summer foods include spiders, toads, frogs, lizards, snakes, mice, chipmunks and the eggs of turtles and ground-nesting birds. [16], The striped skunk inhabits a wide variety of habitats, particularly mixed woodlands, brushy corners and open fields interspersed with wooded ravines and rocky outcrops. [4] The name "Alaska sable" was employed by furriers during the late 19th century. 2012. To one early 20th century naturalist, it was a mixture of perfume musk, essense of garlic, burning sulfur and sewer gas magnified a thousand times. A threatened striped skunk will try to run away from a perceived predator. There is a significant reduction in body mass during wintermonths, when striped skunks can lose up to 50 percent of their weight. Since 1996, spotted skunks have been classified as threatened in Minnesota, and any sightings should be reported to Minnesota DNR. Eyes open when they are about 3 weeks old. Cases of rabies in this species are generally epizootic and recurrent. 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. These polka-dotted relatives are smaller, about the size of a fat squirrel, and do impressive handstands to warn predators before they launch their stinky spray. 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. Protection and promoting general public awareness of a species is a good way to secure its status. These glands have nozzle-like ducts, which protrude through the anus. Striped skunks may be . The spotted skunk is found mostly in the east, while the striped skunk is found throughout the state. Size: 18-32 inches long; up to 8 lbs. They have an average overall length of between 21 and 27 inches. [6], The striped skunk was first formally named by Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber as Viverra mephitis. 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. Its tail is black, fluffy, and long. Spotted skunks are fewer in number and smallerabout squirrel sizedbut they're almost as widespread as striped skunks in the United States. Many a farmer arrived to pour the dregs of the milk strainer into the cat dish and found that one of the cats had a broad tail and a characteristic white "V" across its back. Skunks do not hibernate, although they may remain dormant underground all winter. The striped skunk is abundant in New York and its populations are secure. In some states, like Florida, skunks may be killed only during a season, but harvests year-round are allowed in most states. Spotted skunks are generally less tolerant of humans than the striped skunk (Henderson 1976). Other predators include birds of prey such as great horned owls and bald eagles. For day retreats (resting cover), they use hayfields, pastures, fencerows and brushy borders of waterways. Trapping may help minimize the impacts of disease on a skunk population. Striped Skunk on The IUCN Red List site -. Skunks are prey for raptors and larger mammal carnivores. While the mammals have adapted to a wide range of environments, they prefer habitat with a variety of woodlands and open fields, which means they can also be found in both rural and suburban settings. Where To Find Males fight with each other, although they rarely discharge musk during these conflicts. Its active ingredient is a sulphide called mercaptan. The eastern spotted skunk, also known as the civet cat, reaches its northernmost limit in the northcentral United States. The newborns are blind and deaf, and wont open their eyes for about three weeks. Males in particular are likely to be active aboveground periodically. Quick Facts Species Type Native Size Around 8 pounds Habitat Forests, grasslands, meadows and suburban areas Range Skunk anal glands are responsible for the sulfur compounds that, when sprayed, form the pungent scent that is a skunks primary defense. They weigh 3 to 12 pounds, depending on age, sex, physical condition and time of year. From the late 1990s until present, North Dakota dominates regional harvest. [13] The meat was prized by Chinese immigrants, who also bought skunk gall bladders for medicinal purposes. [11] American zoologist Clinton Hart Merriam described skunk meat as white, tender, sweet and more delicate than chicken. The most frequently consumed insects include grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, caterpillars, other insect larvae and bees. May stretch the length of the back. They also can get and spread rabies and other wildlife diseases. Sexes are colored and marked alike. They eat pests including potato bugs, tobacco worms and Japanese beetles. 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW The the striped skunk in Tennessee is the most commone and it occurs state-wide. The period of gestation for the female Striped Skunks lies between 59-77 days. Prior to spraying, skunks usually warn intruders by stamping their feet and holding the tail high in the air. Skunks often leave holes in the ground where they forage for insects or tear apart ground nests of small animals. They can live up to 10 years in human care. Immune to snake venom, these animals will eat poisonous snakes such as rattlesnakes. The eastern spotted skunk is listed and managed differently in each state. Variations include striping patterns and coloration; some striped skunks may be cream-colored with no visible striping. Once the mating period has finished, the impregnated females confine themselves to their dens, while the males attempt to rebuild their fat reserves. However, that could change. The size of a skunk's home range will vary based on the amount of food and shelter available in the area. Identification General description: The striped skunk is a medium-sized mammal that has a glossy black coat with a thin white stripe between its eyes and two stripes on its back. (1982). Mostly nocturnal and does not hibernate. [11] The skunk will also consume vegetable matter, such as apples, blueberries, black cherries, ground cherries, corn and nightshade when in season. When you become a member, you also receive exclusive benefits, like special opportunities to meet animals, discounts at Zoo stores and more. 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. [10][11] The Cree and Ojibwe word shee-gawk is the root word for Chicago, which means 'skunk-land'. Cornfields are good feeding areas, where skunks forage for grasshoppers, grubs and beetles. Residential areas that have both lawns and large, mast producing shade trees often provide optimal habitat for skunks. [12] The forefeet are armed with five long, curved claws adapted for digging, while those on the hind feet are shorter and straighter. 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. Skunks seem to prefer slopes for den sites, probably because these areas drain well. Winter home ranges tend to be smaller than summer home ranges since skunks typically stay close to their dens. [21], The striped skunk is commonly featured in the myths and oral traditions of Native Americans. For the Muscogee people, the skunk represented family loyalty and defense of loved ones. Because striped skunks are abundant, their populations are often susceptible to diseases such as rabies. Some female yearlings will stay with their mothers into the coming winter. Eastern striped skunks are relatively common throughout the United States and can be found throughout Maryland. Skunks are a major reservoir for rabies and other parasites. Below, we have summarized the various classifications, monitoring, research, and contact information for each state alphabetically. 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. Conservation Ranks. Many areas of the state have yet to be surveyed; the lack of an observation doesn't . Younger females may bear fewer young and give birth later in the year than older females. The Spotted Skunk population also appears to have reached a plateau. 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. Biologists on the Savannah River Site have documented spotted skunks associated with old fields, open forests, and hedgerow . Size: 18-32 inches long; up to 8 lbs. Large, bushy black and white tail. As the Maryland winter approaches, striped skunks begin looking for a den to spend the winter. 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. Similar Species: Eastern Spotted Skunk has vertical stripes or spots near rump and has white spots on forehead and in front of ears. Striped skunks mate in February and early March. 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. . Make a donation to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute today! 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