Their body temperature remains near normal. [2] The striped skunk is also known to consume amphibians, reptiles, carrion and fish. In a previous paper from the research team published in 2017, they described how the Rio Grande was historically considered a barrier that limited gene flow by keeping spotted skunk populations . . Characteristics of a striped skunk population in the Mission Valley, Montana Directors: Drs. Spotted skunks have a more complicated pattern of spots and broken lines, while striped skunks have two white stripes running from head to tail. (females slightly smaller) Lifespan: Up to 7 years in the wild. The animal's body is from 8 to 19 inches long with a tail that can be as long as 15 inches. Striped skunks mate in February and early March. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is the most common skunk in Texas and North America. The striped skunk is one of the most recognizable of North America's animals, and is a popular figure in cartoons and children's books. Reproduction. [10] Brown or cream-colored mutations occasionally occur. Striped skunk is ideally suited for this purpose because the white hairs of the pelt become a uniform, glossy black when dyed. Kits are able to follow their mother on hunting trips at two months, and soon after disperse. [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). In some states, like Florida, skunks may be killed only during a season, but harvests year-round are allowed in most states. Sexes are colored and marked alike. 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. Widespread, it is found in suitable habitat from sea level to timberline in all 48 contiguous states, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. The markings can be highly variable, with some striped skunks appearing almost all white or all black. Keystone State. Likewise for a homeowner or nuisance wildlife control agent who finds a skunk in the box trap set in the backyard. Go to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Some female yearlings will stay with their mothers into the coming winter. The Great Horned Owl is the chief predator of skunks; the skunk's odor does not seem to deter them. Some populations, particularly in northwestern Illinois, prefer cultivated areas over uncultivated ones. Without doubt, the most widely recognized characteristic of the Striped skunk is the pungent odor of the musk that it produces. Skunks do not hibernate, although they may remain dormant underground all winter. Hunting and trapping are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, regulations. Body weight ranged from 4.0 lb to 8.8 lb (1.8-4.0 kg) in Wisconsin. Males fight with each other, although they rarely discharge musk during these conflicts. The long and sharp claws of a skunks forefeet are well-adapted to digging. Regularity. Probably the largest subspecies, similar to. This oily musk, expelled through the anus, can cause temporary blindness and pain if sprayed in the eyes of a potential attacker. There is a significant reduction in body mass during wintermonths, when striped skunks can lose up to 50 percent of their weight. Common Name: Striped Skunk. Weight: 3.5 - 10.0 pounds. A study released in 2013 included a video of a Western spotted skunk handstanding and facing off with a mountain lion over a deer carcass. A similar, but less significant, secondary contact occurred when the same subclade intermingled with members of the eastern phylogroup east of the Mississippi river. Field guides refer to the musk as highly repellent to all mammals. In short, it stinks. To help assess population trends, we can look at regional furbearer harvest data, methods. About the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Two New Striped Skunks Make Debut At Small Mammal House, A Quack-filled Roll Call: Meet the Ducks of the Bird House, #CheetahCubdate 7: How to Enrich and Train Cheetahs, New at the Zoo: Meet Our Gray Seal, Jo-Jo. Come spring, striped skunk males will mate with several females during late February through early March. The skunk will move backwards towards the aggressor while stamping its feet. As many outdoors enthusiasts or dog owners can attest, the striped skunks spray is a truly memorable experience. Striped skunks are common throughout their range. This type of regulatory protection has been successful. 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. These glands have nozzle-like ducts, which protrude through the anus. In Kansas, the striped skunk is recognized as a leading rabies vector, often accounting for 80 percent of more of the animals that test positive for the disease each year. It is also seenor its musky odor noticedin some suburban and urban locations, particularly near sources of open water. Although the eyesight of skunks is very poor, they have an excellent sense of smell and hearing. Special Requests to Use State Game Lands Information, Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP), HUNTING:July. Some harvesting continues today. The striped skunk is an interesting component of New York's wildlife assortment. Skunks are armed with a potent defensive weapon: a pair of large scent glands found beneath the skin on either side of the rectum. Their practice of digging leaves small-but-noticeable pits in the ground, which can provide evidence of their presence in an area. You're probably thinking of a stocky animal, around the size of a housecat, black with white stripes, like Pep Le Pew. Skunk fur is an important asset to the fur industry, with pelts with a greater percentage of black grading higher. Black coat with white stripe that begins on forehead and then divides in two. Spotted skunks are fewer in number and smallerabout squirrel sizedbut they're almost as widespread as striped skunks in the United States. (218) 788-2694 Striped skunks are typically found at elevations below 5,900 feet (1,800 meters). Maryland Biodiversity Project. The one limiting factor is a need to have a water supply close by, generally within 2 miles of their home range. Eyes open when they are about 3 weeks old. The value of each pixel in the map is an estimate of the species probability of occurrence. 2012. Weight: six to 14 pounds. 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. In colder weather, they may eat voles, young birds, or bird eggs. & Verts, B. J. 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. May stretch the length of the back. [4] Emphasis was placed on selectively breeding the tamest and darkest colored skunks. 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. Skunks eat honeybees and wasps and often attack beehives. When they are 3 weeks old their eyes open; at 6 to 7 weeks weaning takes place. They are slightly larger and their scent is not as strong as the Eastern Spotted Skunk's. Musk can make a predator sick or, if the skunk has been able to direct the substance into the animals eyes, temporarily blind. The breeding season is from February to April, and females typically give birth once a year. Instantly recognizable, striped skunks are known for their signature coloration and for their ability to emit a strong and pungent odor when upset. 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. The species has triangular shaped heads that taper to the nose, small round ears and black eyes. [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. Striped skunks may be . Northern and central California, from the vicinity of Monterey Bay northward, west of the Sierra and Cascades, to the Willamette Valley, Oregon. 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. Male striped skunks breed with multiple females, and are rejected by the females after mating occurs. [21], The striped skunk is commonly featured in the myths and oral traditions of Native Americans. For day retreats (resting cover), they use hayfields, pastures, fencerows and brushy borders of waterways. [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. Throughout the winter, they have been observed eating small mammals and ground-nesting hatchlings and eggs, and hunting amphibians, reptiles and fish. The second, still originating in the Texas-Mexico region, expanded westwards to the Rocky Mountains during the Illinoian glacial period. Skunks can be found throughout the Great Lakes region, with populations secure in all states and Ontario. 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. From the late 1990s until present, North Dakota dominates regional harvest. 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). 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. Skunk musk is generally harmless. "Mephitis mephitis" (PDF). Wanders onto beaches at low tide eating stranded animals. Skunks are solitary and typically nonaggressive, and they have not historically been a serious threat to homeowners, agricultural producers and other wildlife. Alabama Arkansas Colorado Florida Georgia Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Each year the New York State hunting and trapping regulation guides remind hunters and trappers that the striped skunk is a valuable furbearing resource. The striped skunk can be a difficult neighbor because of its fearlessness and effective weaponry. When you become a member, you also receive exclusive benefits, like special opportunities to meet animals, discounts at Zoo stores and more. 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. Present. The most frequently consumed insects include grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, caterpillars, other insect larvae and bees. Striped skunks have an IUCN rank of Least Concern, IUCN information. This page is available in other languages. A white triangle can be seen on their face starting at the forehead and pointing down like an arrowhead to their nose. NRRI Duluth[emailprotected] 2. [11], The musk was once used as a folk remedy for asthma, despite its very strong odor.[12]. These skunks only travel about 800 m from their home, yet they can walk about 2 km (1.2 mi) per night. Although they are blind and unfurred, the pattern of their future black-and-white pelage shows on their pinkish, wrinkled skin. A surfeit is the word for a group of skunks. Eastern Canada; Nova Scotia, Quebec, and northern Ontario. Washington, DC 20008. High corn plants also protect young skunks from airborne and land predators without impeding their movements. One wildlife host that purportedly plays a role in the transmission of Chagas disease within the southern United States is the striped skunk . 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. The the striped skunk in Tennessee is the most commone and it occurs state-wide. Tomato juice neutralizes the odor and will help remove the smell from clothes, hair, and dog fur. Young are born blind, with eyes opening between 2-4 weeks of age. Skunks are susceptible to distemper and rabies. Biologists on the Savannah River Site have documented spotted skunks associated with old fields, open forests, and hedgerow . In the photo above, a striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is on left and a spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius) is on right. They prefer open areas, with abundant populations observed on agricultural lands. 0 inches Gestation is for around 59 to 77 days, starting with delayed implantation that can be as long as 19 days. 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. Population Trends To help assess population trends, we can look at regional furbearer harvest data, methods . Found north of Mexico, it is one of the best-known mammals in Canada and the United States. This species has been found in all parts of the state. [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. At birth, striped skunks weigh less than an ounce. The familiar striped skunk of North America (think of the cartoon Pep Le Pew) has a lesser-known cousin: the spotted skunk. 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. Newborns are helpless and rely completely on their mother. Rabies outbreaks have affected populations in Illinois. As an opportunistic feeder, it will fill its diet with a variety of insects, small mammals, eggs, and occasional plants. 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. After mating, the female no longer associates with the male and becomes aggressive towards him through vocalizing, stamping her feet and sometimes fighting. Young striped skunks reach sexual maturity at about 10 months. A skunk is colored black and white. (1982). They will hunt with the mother for the first time around 7 weeks and weaning occurs at 8 weeks. Skunks are chiefly nocturnal, hunting from dusk until dawn, except during the breeding season when they are frequently observed during daylight hours. [12] The forefeet are armed with five long, curved claws adapted for digging, while those on the hind feet are shorter and straighter. Litters number 2 to 10 kits. When it is colder, they prefer to remain in underground dens. Despite their unique system of defense, they are eaten, chiefly by great horned owls but also by eagles, crows, vultures, coyotes, foxes, dogs, bobcats, mountain lions, American badgers, and even humans. There is Best places to see in Tennessee: Edges, corners, and fencerows of fields. Striped skunks are found in a variety of habitats from southern Canada throughout the United States into northern Mexico. The chemical makeup of skunk musk varies by species, but each version contains compounds called thiols that are responsible for the foul smell. At 2-4 weeks, kits can assume a defensive stance and discharge fluid from their scent glands. Skunks are susceptible to several diseases including canine distemper and most notably, rabies. A medium-sized subspecies, with a longer tail than that of. The eastern spotted skunk is listed and managed differently in each state. 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 most distinguishing characteristic is a skunk's ability to direct a stream or spray of musk as far as 10 feet from paired anal glands. Year-round. Their diet includes insects, fish, crustaceans, small mammals, fruits, nuts, grasses leaves, and carrion (dead animals). Late-winter to early-spring is mating season. when the Island Spotted Skunk had a small population and was not well-studied, the skunk that time was designated as a species of concern. Rosatte, R. & Lawson, S. (2003). 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. Skunks have small heads, with small eyes and ears and a pointed nose. Protection and promoting general public awareness of a species is a good way to secure its status. Spraying an offending creature typically occurs after a warning display, which involves the skunk stomping its feet and arching its back while raising its tail. Where To Find Total length: 20 to 28 inches. 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. [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. [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. Skunks seem to prefer slopes for den sites, probably because these areas drain well. Although a market still exists, it is not as vigorous as it once was. The central chamber is lined with dry grass and leaves. One Gayley Avenue For the Muscogee people, the skunk represented family loyalty and defense of loved ones. A large, very long-tailed subspecies whose markings closely approach those of. [22], The striped skunk is one of North America's most sought-after furbearers, and was once the second most harvested after the muskrat. The Latin name for skunk, Mephitis mephitis, means "double foul odor.". They den in ground burrows, stumps, wood and rock piles, overhanging creek banks and beneath buildings. [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. Their diet will vary depending on whats available during each season. Shores of Puget Sound and coastal region of Washington and northern Oregon. [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. Coleraine, MN 55722, Ermine (Short-tailed Weasel; Mustela erminea). The Striped skunk has narrow white stripes located at the center of its face, which differ in length and width across individuals. 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. They have a long history of association with humans, having been trapped and captively bred for their fur and kept as pets. Until the early 1990s, Minnesota dominated regional harvest. 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. Some stories try to explain its striped pattern or how it got its smell. Eastern striped skunks are relatively common throughout the United States and can be found throughout Maryland. Like all skunks, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators. Names . Protect local waterways by using fewer pesticides when caring for your garden or lawn. 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