-->

• 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.North Carolina Cooperative Extension: Skunks (443 KB)
  2. Diet: OmnivorousNational Geographic: Skunk Profile
  3. Size: 8 to 19 inches (head and body)National Geographic: Skunk Profile
  4. Tail length: 5 to 15 inchesNational Geographic: Skunk Profile
  5. Weight: 7 ozs to 14 lbsNational Geographic: Skunk Profile
  6. Lifespan: 3 years in the wildNational Geographic: Skunk Profile
  7. Endangered: no
  8. Predators: Great horned owls, coyotes, dogs and humansEduScapes:Skunks

• Species

  1. Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)Animal Diversity Web: Striped Skunk
  2. Hooded Skunk (Mephitis macroura)Animal Diversity Web:

  Hooded Skunk

  1. Eastern Spotted Skunk (Spilogale putorius)Animal Diversity Web:Eastern Spotted Skunk
  2. Palawan Stink Badger (Mydaus marchei)Animal Diversity Web:Palawan Stink Badger
  3. Eastern Hog-Nosed Skunk (Conepatus leuconotus)National Science Research Laboratory: Eastern Hog-Nosed Skunk
  4. Western Hog-Nosed Skunk (Conepatus leuconotus)University of Texas El Paso:Western Hog-Nosed Skunk

• Breeding

  Male and female skunks are usually not seen together except for breeding purposes.Animal Diversity Web: Striped Skunk 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.North Carolina Cooperative Extension: Skunks (443 KB) The litter will stay close to the mother until the fall.North Carolina Cooperative Extension: Skunks (443 KB) 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.The Humane Society of the United States: Skunks 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.Animal Diversity Web: Striped Skunk 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 | How to Get Rid of Mice | How to Get Rid of Rodents

Categories

• View History
• Discuss on the Message Board
• Embed this Page
• Share this page