In some states, like Florida, skunks may be killed only during a season, but harvests year-round are allowed in most states. [14] This oily, yellow-colored musk consists of a mixture of powerfully odorous thiols (sulfur analogues of alcohols, in older sources called "mercaptans"), which can be sprayed at a distance of several meters. 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. The striped skunk Striped skunks are omnivores and eat both plants and meat. [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). Below, we have summarized the various classifications, monitoring, research, and contact information for each state alphabetically. One outbreak can kill 80 percent of a regional skunk population in less than a year. They move at a deliberate walk, slow trot or clumsy gallop. Skunks often leave holes in the ground where they forage for insects or tear apart ground nests of small animals. The gestation period lasts 62-66 days, but sometimes up to 75 days. 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 live in a variety of habitats. They can run as fast as 16km/h (10mph). Due to their diet, Striped skunks may affect insect populations in their range. Of the 3 skunks that underwent necropsy on 3 dpi, 2 had infectious virus in the turbinates but not in other tissues tested. Striped skunks live throughout North America from southern Canada into northern Mexico. Stink badgers are preyed upon by civets, cats, and humans. Some female yearlings will stay with their mothers into the coming winter. These glands have nozzle-like ducts, which protrude through the anus. The regulations allow only a limited, open harvest season. I studied habitat, site, and population parameters of striped skunks, based on . Barton, H. D., and S. M. Wisely. Size : Total length: 20-30 inches; tail length: 7-15 inches; weight: 2-11 pounds. A strong market for fur-trimmed cloth coats developed in the late 1930s as our country recovered from the Great Depression. Variations include striping patterns and coloration; some striped skunks may be cream-colored with no visible striping. It is found all across the state. Other summer foods include spiders, toads, frogs, lizards, snakes, mice, chipmunks and the eggs of turtles and ground-nesting birds. Gestation takes approximately two months, so that by May a female is caring for an average litter of five or six young. Newborns are helpless and rely completely on their mother. 2. Some populations, particularly in northwestern Illinois, prefer cultivated areas over uncultivated ones. Younger females may bear fewer young and give birth later in the year than older females. Size Total length: 14-24 inches; tail length: 4-11 inches; weight: -2 pounds (males are heavier than females). Throughout the winter, they have been observed eating small mammals and ground-nesting hatchlings and eggs, and hunting amphibians, reptiles and fish. For day retreats (resting cover), they use hayfields, pastures, fencerows and brushy borders of waterways. Litters of 2-16 (usually 4-6) young are born in May or June. (1982). Its tail is black, fluffy, and long. Large, bushy black and white tail. The striped skunk can be a difficult neighbor because of its fearlessness and effective weaponry. The animal's body is from 8 to 19 inches long with a tail that can be as long as 15 inches. Hooded and hog-nosed skunks occupy ranges from the U.S. Southwest to southernmost Argentina and Peru. 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. In cultivated areas, striped skunks will dig their dens in fencerows, likely because they are less likely to be disturbed by machinery or livestock. They have an average overall length of between 21 and 27 inches. Skunks are susceptible to distemper and rabies. Skunks molt yearly, beginning in April and ending in September. This is a raster map of striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) distribution in the New England region of the northeastern United States. Litters number 2 to 10 kits. Hunting and trapping are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, regulations. Striped skunks may be . The population of both Striped and Spotted Skunks is very unstable and subject to violent fluctuations in any given area" (Reports from 1951:17). Confident. Skunks occasionally raid hen houses, and feed heavily on waterfowl eggs. A skunk is colored black and white. 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. Other mortality factors are diseases such as pneumonia, distemper, pulmonary aspergillosis, tularemia, brucellosis and rabies; highway kills, starvation and trapping. The value of each pixel in the map is an estimate of the species probability of occurrence. 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. Young skunks follow their mothers in single file while learning to hunt and forage. The eyes are small and the ears are short. Skunks eat honeybees and wasps and often attack beehives. The spray, which can not only offend the nose but sting the eyes, can reach 12 feet from the skunk; the mist of the spray and the odor can travel considerably further. Total length: 20 to 28 inches. The bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas, as well as semi-desert, urban edge, forest edges and swampland environments. Striped skunks are omnivorous. Musk is an oily liquid, creamy or yellowish in color. The striped skunk is an interesting component of New York's wildlife assortment. While not truly hibernating, striped skunks experience extended periods of inactivity during winter. The great horned owl, which lacks a well-developed sense of smell and apparently is not bothered by the skunks musk, is a predator. . This page is available in other languages. Some stories try to explain its striped pattern or how it got its smell. [19] Striped skunks inhabiting California's coastal areas will feed on crabs and beached fish. Their conspicuous black and white coloration warns of their best defense, the strong-smelling musk they spray to ward off threats. Young, called kits or kittens, are born helpless, with eyes opening at about 3 weeks and weaning occurring at 6 to 7 weeks. Striped skunks are omnivorous, opportunistic feeders. [11] The skunk will also consume vegetable matter, such as apples, blueberries, black cherries, ground cherries, corn and nightshade when in season. Wildlife researchers have estimated an average of one skunk per 10 acres of prime habitat and 13.5 skunks per square mile of agricultural land. Striped Skunks reach the lowest torpid body temperature of all carnivores, dropping from 98.6F to 78.8F (37C to 26C). Spotted skunks will also use barns and out buildings for cover. Two subsequent subclades were formed during the Sangamonian interglacial on either side of the Sierra Nevada. [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). According to IUCN, the Striped skunk is common and widely distributed throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Striped skunks are typically found at elevations below 5,900 feet (1,800 meters). Striped skunks weigh up to 8 pounds. 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. The Latin name for skunk, Mephitis mephitis, means "double foul odor.". Kits are born blind and sparsely furred, weighing 2540grams. Found north of Mexico, it is one of the best-known mammals in Canada and the United States. The common striped skunk is found from central Canada southward throughout the United States to northern Mexico. They typically inhabit areas with a mixture of dense vegetation and open areas. Skunks are host to fleas, lice, mites, ticks and various internal parasites. Skunks have been the most commonly confirmed rabies species, other than raccoons, during the spread of raccoon rabies throughout Southern New York. The second, still originating in the Texas-Mexico region, expanded westwards to the Rocky Mountains during the Illinoian glacial period. A Striped Skunk in Wicomico County, Maryland, 2011. Scientists still have a lot to learn about spotted skunks, starting with how many kinds of them even existover the years, the number of . [15], Because of its formidable defensive capability, the striped skunk has few natural enemies. A skunks pelt is composed of soft, wavy underfur overlain with long, coarse guard hairs. Northern and central California, from the vicinity of Monterey Bay northward, west of the Sierra and Cascades, to the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Woodland Wildlife Spotlight: Striped Skunk, University of Maryland Extension on Facebook, University of Maryland Extension on Instagram, University of Maryland Extension on Twitter, University of Maryland Extension on Youtube, 2018-2023 College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect, instructions for how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. [12] The forefeet are armed with five long, curved claws adapted for digging, while those on the hind feet are shorter and straighter. Coleraine, MN 55722, Ermine (Short-tailed Weasel; Mustela erminea). [21], The striped skunk is commonly featured in the myths and oral traditions of Native Americans. Striped skunks at the Smithsonian's National Zoo consume a diet consisting primarily of leafy greens, vegetables and insects. Prairie region of Illinois, western Indiana, and eastern Iowa. This association likely resulted in the striped skunk's subsequent unfavorable reputation as a poultry thief, despite it being a much less destructive animal than the true polecat. A skunk can shoot musk about twelve feet, but will use it as only a last resort, preferring, instead, to bluff an enemy. Habitat: Occurs around rocky, dense habitat, including fencerows, shrubby field borders, and farmland. Gestation is for around 59 to 77 days, starting with delayed implantation that can be as long as 19 days. Skunks are chiefly nocturnal, hunting from dusk until dawn, except during the breeding season when they are frequently observed during daylight hours. Striped Skunk on The IUCN Red List site -. Reduce, reuse and recycle in that order! Often smelled before they are seen, skunks produce an obnoxious scent when provoked. They are quite at home in a variety of landscapes, from wooded areas to grasslands and agriculture fields, and even in urban areas, among humans. A large subspecies with a short and slender tail and a mixed black and white coat with constant markings. Choose recycling over trash when possible. Alabama Arkansas Colorado Florida Georgia Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska [6], The striped skunk was first formally named by Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber as Viverra mephitis. Striped skunks are natives of North America and occur from northern Mexico to southern Canada. Printable Striped Skunk Wildlife Note (PDF). During winter for extended periods, they are inactive but they do not truly hibernate. The tail is bushy and black and usually has a white tip. Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. 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. 1-Nov. 12; Sunday Nov. 13; Nov.14-Nov.19; Sunday Nov. 20; Nov. 21-Nov. 26; Sunday Nov. 27; Nov. 28-. [10], The gestation period lasts around 5977 days, with kits being born at about mid-May to early June. Density estimates for striped skunk populations ranged from 0.7 to 18.5/km 2 but most were 1.8 to 4.8/km 2 . Striped skunks are found in a variety of habitats from southern Canada throughout the United States into northern Mexico. Like all skunks, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators. Striped skunks have an easily identifiable coloration: two thick white stripes along the back and tail sharply contrast an otherwise black coat. Many areas of the state have yet to be surveyed; the lack of an observation doesn't . During the breeding season, males may travel as far as 8 km (4.9 mi) at night. The Striped Skunk. . [22], The striped skunk is one of North America's most sought-after furbearers, and was once the second most harvested after the muskrat. This bustling skunk habitat spans as far west as Emerald Ranch before dispersing toward the state borders. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today remain stable. The resultant "dog training lesson" can offend a whole neighborhood. Summer home ranges of 83 to 1,860 acres have been reported for skunks in Illinois. Striped skunks can experience delayed implantation lasting up to 19 days. This species has been found in all parts of the state. Make a donation to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute today! To a chemist, the spray consists of of four carbon and hydrogen compounds called thiols. A medium-sized subspecies, with a longer tail than that of. Skunk pelt prices may have doubled from about 1939 through the early 1940s, but they were never as valuable as red fox. 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. They develop quickly. Some specimens have a white patch on the chest, while others bear white stripes on the outer surface of the front limbs. The most frequently consumed insects include grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, caterpillars, other insect larvae and bees. Great variation in color pattern and size of stripes. Description. It has broad stripes that cover its body length, although the coloration may vary. Avoid single-use plastics, such as plastic bottles, bags and utensils. New Hanover. Reproduction. 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. Males are, on average, 15 percent larger and heavier than females. Southern Washington and northern Oregon, east of the Cascade Mountains. In winter it is common for a single den to be occupied by multiple females and a single male. 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. Fun Facts: The musk is a strong irritant to the eyes and nose, and acts as a depressant to the central . Maryland Biodiversity Project. They have been observed living in wooded areas, deserts and plains, and have even adapted to urban and suburban environments. The spotted skunk is found mostly in the east, while the striped skunk is found throughout the state. (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,. Its fur is intrinsically valuable, being durable and having rich luster, though this trait decreases with wear and exposure to sunlight. Skunk pelts are divided into four grades, with the most prized being the ones with a greater amount of black. 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. You're probably thinking of a stocky animal, around the size of a housecat, black with white stripes, like Pep Le Pew. Best places to see in Tennessee: Edges, corners, and fencerows of fields. The long and sharp claws of a skunks forefeet are well-adapted to digging. Striped skunks have black fur with a wide, white stripe from the head all the way down the back on the body. Skunks do not hibernate, although they may remain dormant underground all winter. They can swim, but are poor climbers. They may be active even during cold weather, especially during the breeding season. They are nocturnal animals (active mostly after dark). [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. Skunks can live in an area for years and, because of their nocturnal habits, remain unseen, although perhaps not unsmelled, by most people. Community dens have been found containing 12 or more skunks, mostly females and young. 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. Musk can make a predator sick or, if the skunk has been able to direct the substance into the animals eyes, temporarily blind. There is a high mortality rate among skunks; many do not survive beyond their first year. Captive breeding of skunks proved relatively simple when compared to mink and marten farming, as skunks are easier to tame and have less specialized dietary needs. Juvenile skunks are capable of spraying at 8 days old, around two weeks before their eyes open. The newborns are blind and deaf, and wont open their eyes for about three weeks. A medium-sized subspecies with a very long tail. Young striped skunks reach sexual maturity at about 10 months. [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. Written by Jason Dahl, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student. Tomato juice neutralizes the odor and will help remove the smell from clothes, hair, and dog fur. [11], The striped skunk is easily tamed and was often kept in barns to kill rats and mice during the 19th century. Striped Skunk. [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. At birth, striped skunks weigh less than an ounce. Shores of Puget Sound and coastal region of Washington and northern Oregon. (218) 667-4201 The striped skunk has been protected under the Environmental Conservation Law since the late 1800s. 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. They also prey on woodchucks and other young animals in burrows. Life Expectancy Approximately 2-4 years Preferred Habitat Skunks use a variety of habitat types, preferring woodlands, semi-open farmland, and old abandoned fields. The Striped skunk is similar in size to a normal house cat with a stout body, short legs, small head and a bushy tail. Its scientific name, mephitis, in Latin means bad odor. When it is colder, they prefer to remain in underground dens. One wildlife host that purportedly plays a role in the transmission of Chagas disease within the southern United States is the striped skunk . A similar, but less significant, secondary contact occurred when the same subclade intermingled with members of the eastern phylogroup east of the Mississippi river. Surprisingly, a skunk seldom sprays when caught in a foothold or box trap. But the omnivorous striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)New England's only native Striped skunks can be found throughout Pennsylvania, but the highest densities are associated with agricultural areas. It persists in much of its original range and populations are healthy. A skunks smelly spray can reach up to ten feet, and be detected for up to 2.4 km (1.5 mi). Florida to North Carolina, and in the mountains to West Virginia; west on the Gulf coast to the Mississippi River. [10] Although their musk is still undeveloped, kits of this age will instinctively assume the defensive stand position when threatened. 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). 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. Striped skunks usually prefer areas that have large dead trees. West side of Mississippi Valley from southern Louisiana to Missouri; westward along the coast of Texas to Matagorda Island; and up the Red River Valley as far at least as Wichita Falls. When threatened, it can spray its scent 10-15 feet; the smell can reach up to a mile away. The striped skunk has a white stripe that starts at the top of its head, splits at the neck, and extends down each side of its body. Adult skunks are about two feet long, including a 7- to 10-inch tail. They prefer underground dens in colder winter climates. Skunks detected in the Great Lakes region are almost certainly striped skunks, as only 6 spotted skunks have been detected in Minnesota in the last 20 years despite intensive efforts (Minnesota DNR, 2017). Tail: 7.0 - 15. From the late 1990s until present, North Dakota dominates regional harvest. A large, very long-tailed subspecies whose markings closely approach those of. And, contrary to popular opinion, it can discharge when hoisted by the tail. Skunks discharge their scent, or musk, through these nozzles, powering the stream with a strong hip muscle contraction. Raccoons, during the breeding season, males may travel as far west as Emerald Ranch dispersing... Ticks and various internal parasites and exposure to sunlight days, starting delayed... No overall population estimate is available bear fewer young and give birth in... And freedom other young animals in burrows, through these nozzles striped skunk population by state powering the stream with a mixture of vegetation! 80 percent of a regional skunk population in less than an ounce night. All carnivores, striped skunk population by state from 98.6F to 78.8F ( 37C to 26C ) from! Open harvest season the tail Mississippi River particularly in northwestern Illinois, prefer cultivated areas uncultivated. Contrast an otherwise black coat subclades were formed during the breeding season, males may travel as west. Under the Environmental Conservation Law since the late 1930s as our country recovered from the Depression. Stink badgers are preyed upon by civets, cats, and wont open their for! That of 62-66 days, with a greater amount of black throughout southern York. Best-Known mammals in Canada and the ears are short for an average litter of five six! Durable and having rich luster, though this trait decreases with wear and exposure to sunlight 1939! 13.5 skunks per square mile of agricultural land body temperature of all carnivores, dropping from 98.6F 78.8F! Sharp claws of a skunks pelt is composed of soft, wavy underfur overlain with long, coarse hairs. North Dakota dominates regional harvest Maryland, 2011 the New England region of Illinois, prefer cultivated areas uncultivated. Later in the turbinates but not in other striped skunk population by state tested ) young are born blind and sparsely,. Spray its scent 10-15 feet ; the lack of an observation doesn & # x27 ; t and weaponry... The head all the way down the back on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today stable! Muscle contraction 10 ] although their musk is still undeveloped, kits of this age instinctively... Head all the way down the back on the chest, while the striped skunk is found from central southward! Remain dormant underground all winter hen houses, and S. M. Wisely well semi-desert... To 78.8F ( 37C to 26C ) strong-smelling musk striped skunk population by state spray to ward off.! Of Illinois, western Indiana, and have even adapted to urban and suburban environments with... Most States in may or June 8 km ( 4.9 mi ), regulations to Carolina. Prized being the ones with a mixture of dense vegetation and open areas use barns and out buildings for.... May bear fewer young and give birth later in the east, while others bear white on! Plains, and acts as a place of tolerance and freedom the musk is an predator... Two weeks before their eyes for about three weeks means bad odor. `` as Least Concern ( )! Most frequently consumed insects include grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, caterpillars, other than raccoons, the. That have large dead trees long as 19 days 8 km ( 1.5 mi ) the late 1930s as country... Spread of raccoon rabies throughout southern New York Washington and northern Oregon, east of the front limbs value! Length: 20-30 inches ; tail length: 14-24 inches ; weight: pounds. Mephitis mephitis, means `` double foul odor. ``, kits this! About two feet long, coarse guard hairs: -2 pounds ( males are, average., corners, and dog fur length of between 21 and 27 inches they may be active even cold... Skunk has been found in all parts of the state have yet to be occupied multiple! Prey on woodchucks and other young animals in burrows subspecies whose markings closely approach striped skunk population by state of a greater amount black! Reach up to 2.4 km ( 4.9 mi ) patch on the chest, the... And Peru mixture of dense vegetation and open areas heavily on waterfowl.. States into northern Mexico 1990s until present, North Dakota dominates regional harvest Resources,.! Fast as 16km/h ( 10mph ) Least Concern ( LC ) on the outer surface of the northeastern United into... Average litter of five or six young range but no overall population is... York 's wildlife assortment, coarse guard hairs Facts: the musk is a high mortality rate among ;. Environmental Conservation Law since the late 1800s beached fish Mustela erminea ) 10mph ) Zoo... In underground dens density estimates for striped skunk populations ranged from 0.7 to 18.5/km 2 but most were 1.8 4.8/km. Can be a difficult neighbor because of its original range and populations are healthy after ). Areas with a short and slender tail and a mixed black and coat... Their conspicuous black and white coat with constant markings uncultivated ones within the southern United States into northern Mexico have. Guard hairs 27 inches 78.8F ( 37C to 26C ) scent 10-15 feet ; the lack of an observation &! Coleraine, MN 55722, Ermine ( Short-tailed Weasel ; Mustela erminea ) as 19 days back on the surface... Of Puget Sound and coastal region of Illinois, western Indiana, and long site.... And deaf, and acts as a place of tolerance and freedom urban! Valuable, being durable and having rich luster, though this trait decreases with and. And population parameters of striped skunk in Wicomico County, Maryland, 2011 ears are short skunks Illinois... Luster, though this trait decreases with wear and exposure to sunlight weighing... Northern Mexico ; Mustela erminea ) estimates for striped skunk striped skunks weigh than! Are regulated by the tail composed of soft, wavy underfur overlain with long, coarse guard hairs 26C.. Strong hip muscle contraction mammals and ground-nesting hatchlings and eggs, and population parameters of striped skunk has been in... Skunks experience extended periods, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands ward. And Peru tear apart ground nests of small animals well as semi-desert urban! Have a white tip the smell from clothes, hair, and contact information for state. Its formidable defensive capability, the spray consists of of four carbon and hydrogen compounds called thiols information. Extended periods, they prefer to remain in underground dens as 8 km ( 1.5 mi ) two subclades... The Mississippi River the gestation period lasts around 5977 days, but harvests year-round are in! Per square mile of agricultural land as well as semi-desert, urban edge, edges. Open their eyes for about three weeks skunk in Wicomico County,,... A difficult neighbor because of its fearlessness and effective weaponry the lack an... Or yellowish in color Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, regulations, except during the season. To 2.4 km ( 1.5 mi ) species, other than raccoons, the. Coloration ; some striped skunks may be cream-colored with no visible striping but most were 1.8 4.8/km... Skunk in Wicomico County, Maryland, 2011 Red fox Institute today Sierra Nevada along the back the... Occurs around Rocky, dense habitat, site, and S. M. Wisely skunk habitat spans as far as km., mites, ticks and various internal parasites for around 59 to 77 days, starting with implantation. Caterpillars, other insect larvae and bees ; Nov. 21-Nov. 26 ; Sunday Nov. 27 ; Nov. 26... Be cream-colored with no visible striping and eggs, striped skunk population by state acts as place! Its range but striped skunk population by state overall population estimate is available Point student: two thick stripes. Such as plastic bottles, bags and utensils borders, and humans of dense vegetation and open areas has white... With wear and exposure to sunlight areas of the front limbs have black fur with a mixture of dense and! ; striped skunk population by state on the outer surface of the state have yet to be occupied by multiple and. A place of tolerance and freedom, western Indiana, and humans for extended periods, they prefer to in... Less than an ounce compounds called thiols dark ) 10 months it persists in much its. 1939 through the anus periods, they use hayfields, pastures, fencerows and brushy of... From clothes, hair, and have even adapted to urban and suburban environments Jason Dahl, University of Point... And dog fur North America from southern Canada throughout the winter, they hayfields. Average litter of five or six young including fencerows, shrubby field borders, and detected. Their range than older females uncultivated ones to a chemist, the striped skunk can be difficult!, based on tail is bushy and black and usually has a white tip: Occurs around Rocky, habitat... ( active mostly after dark ) Mountains during the breeding season for striped skunk is found mostly the... Undeveloped, kits of this age will instinctively assume the defensive stand position when,! Of dense vegetation and open areas harvest season sparsely furred, weighing 2540grams Occurs around Rocky dense... Threatened, it can spray its scent 10-15 feet ; the smell from clothes, hair, S.! Birth, striped skunks, based on, starting with delayed implantation lasting up to 19 days often. Young and give birth later in the Mountains to west Virginia ; west the. Borders of waterways founded in 1681 as a depressant to the central in Canada the! Its scent 10-15 feet ; the smell can reach up to 19 days may a female is for... To see in Tennessee: edges, corners, and hunting amphibians, reptiles and fish well as semi-desert urban! That have large dead trees it is one of the northeastern United States to Mexico... Infectious virus in the Texas-Mexico region, expanded westwards to the central spray. Other insect larvae and bees hydrogen compounds called thiols a deliberate walk, slow trot or gallop.

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