Striped Skunk

Mephitis mephitis

Written by Kathy Richards

​The skunk is a member of the mustelid family which includes weasels and otters


Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) DSC 0030 Dan & Lin Dzurisin, CC BY 2.0

HABITAT:

​Its range is from southern Canada through most of the US with the exception of the Mohave Desert. It prefers semi-open areas including woodlands, farmlands, the suburbs, and trash dumps. It can be found at all elevations from sea level to timberline. It makes its den under buildings, stumps, as well as in stone walls, rock crevices, and abandoned woodchuck burrows. It will dig its own den if need be.

BEHAVIOR:

​They have litters of 2-10 kits. When threatened by another animal it will first give a warning. this consists of stamping their feet, arching their back, clicking their teeth and raising the hind legs. If this doesn’t deter the animal then it will tun and spray afoul smelling liquid from its anal glands which will also burn if it comes into contact with the eyes. The spray which is about a fifth of a tablespoon can spread out 10-15 ft. It is visible for up to 50 ft and can still bee smelled for up to a mile. Their black and white coloration serves as a warning to other animals which will try to avoid the skunk.

The skunk walks with a waddling, shuffling gait, frequently stopping to dig insect grubs. They are primarily nocturnal but also crepuscular (active dawn and dusk). In the winter when it is very cold they will go into a dormant state (not true hibernation) and will be active on warm winter days.

FOOD:

​Skunks are omnivores. their diet includes insects, insect grubs (larvae), snails, small rodents, bird eggs (esp waterfowl), fruits, grains, nuts, corn, grasses, buds, berries, garbage and carrion (dead animals). Occasionally it will get into the chicken coop and eat chicks and eggs.

PREDATOR:

​Great Horned Owl is their primary predator. Other predators include coyote, fox and bobcat when they are starved. Cars are also a major cause of skunks’ demise.

Check out other animals in the exhibits nearby

Gray Fox

Fisher

Long Tailed Weasel