Skunks

Skunks are mammals from the same family as badgers and weasels. The most common skunk is the striped skunk. Some skunks have spots instead of stripes on their black and white fur.

Fast Facts

1. Habitat: Pastures, prairies, open land surrounding forests.¹
2. Diet: Omnivorous²
3. Size: 8 to 19 inches (head and body)²
4. Tail length: 5 to 15 inches²
5. Weight: 7 ozs to 14 lbs²
6. Lifespan: 3 years in the wild²
7. Endangered: no
8. Predators: Great horned owls, coyotes, dogs and humans³

Species

1. Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)⁴
2. Hooded Skunk (Mephitis macroura)⁴
3. Eastern Spotted Skunk (Spilogale putorius)⁴
4. Palawan Stink Badger (Mydaus marchei)⁴
5. Eastern Hog-Nosed Skunk (Conepatus leuconotus)⁵
6. Western Hog-Nosed Skunk (Conepatus leuconotus)⁶

Breeding

Male and female skunks are usually not seen together except for breeding purposes.⁴ Breeding for adult skunks takes place in February and in March. Litter size varires from two to sixteen, with babies being born in May and June.¹ The litter will stay close to the mother until the fall.¹ By the following spring, both sexes are mature enough to reproduce.

Self Defense

Skunks use a spray made from sulfuric acid as a defense mechanism. When they feel threatened, they will warn their assailant by stomping their feet.⁷ If the warning is not heeded, they contort their bodies, lift their tails and spray their assailant. Two scent glands produce the spray, which is emitted through the anus. This spray burns the eyes and nasal passages upon contact.⁴ The odor from the skunk's spray is difficult to remove and may last for several days.

Related Pages on Mahalo

Mammals | Weasels | Badgers | Rabies | Raccoons | Dogs | Bambi | Pangolin | Wolverines

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