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1Taxonomy

2Terminology

3Description

4Behavior

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4.1Reproduction

4.2Diet

4.3Spray

5Relations with humans

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5.1Bites

5.2As pets

6See also

7Notes

8References

9External links

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Skunk

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 12 March 2024.

Common name of mammals in the family Mephitidae

For other uses, see Skunk (disambiguation).

Not to be confused with Polecat.

Skunks

Striped skunks

Scientific classification

Domain:

Eukaryota

Kingdom:

Animalia

Phylum:

Chordata

Class:

Mammalia

Order:

Carnivora

Superfamily:

Musteloidea

Family:

Mephitidae

Groups included

Conepatus

Mephitis

Spilogale

†Brachyprotoma

Skunk genera ranges

Cladistically included but traditionally excluded taxa

Mydaus

†Palaeomephitis

†Promephitis

Skunks are mammals in the family Mephitidae. They are known for their ability to spray a liquid with a strong, unpleasant scent from their anal glands. Different species of skunk vary in appearance from black-and-white to brown, cream or ginger colored, but all have warning coloration.

While related to polecats and other members of the weasel family, skunks have as their closest relatives the Old World stink badgers.[1]

Taxonomy[edit]

Main article: List of mephitids

In alphabetical order, the living species of skunks are:[2]

A hooded skunk skeleton on display at the Museum of Osteology

Family Mephitidae

Genus: Conepatus

Conepatus chinga – Molina's hog-nosed skunk

Conepatus humboldtii – Humboldt's hog-nosed skunk

Conepatus leuconotus – American hog-nosed skunk

Conepatus semistriatus – striped hog-nosed skunk

Genus: Mephitis

Mephitis macroura – hooded skunk

Mephitis mephitis – striped skunk

Genus: Spilogale

Spilogale angustifrons – southern spotted skunk

Spilogale gracilis – western spotted skunk

Spilogale putorius – eastern spotted skunk

Spilogale pygmaea – pygmy spotted skunk

Terminology[edit]

The word skunk is dated from the 1630s, adapted from a southern New England Algonquian language (probably Abenaki) seganku, from Proto-Algonquian *šeka:kwa, from *šek- 'to urinate' + *-a:kw 'fox'.[3] Skunk has historic use as an insult, attested from 1841.[4]

In 1634, a skunk was described in The Jesuit Relations:

The other is a low animal, about the size of a little dog or cat. I mention it here, not on account of its excellence, but to make of it a symbol of sin. I have seen three or four of them. It has black fur, quite beautiful and shining; and has upon its back two perfectly white stripes, which join near the neck and tail, making an oval that adds greatly to their grace. The tail is bushy and well furnished with hair, like the tail of a Fox; it carries it curled back like that of a Squirrel. It is more white than black; and, at the first glance, you would say, especially when it walks, that it ought to be called Jupiter's little dog. But it is so stinking and casts so foul an odor, that it is unworthy of being called the dog of Pluto. No sewer ever smelled so bad. I would not have believed it if I had not smelled it myself. Your heart almost fails you when you approach the animal; two have been killed in our court, and several days afterward there was such a dreadful odor throughout our house that we could not endure it. I believe the sin smelled by Saint Catherine de Sienne must have had the same vile odor.[5][a]

In Southern United States dialect, the term polecat is sometimes used as a colloquial nickname for a skunk,[7] even though polecats are only distantly related to skunks.

As a verb, skunk is used to describe the act of overwhelmingly defeating an opponent in a game or competition. Skunk is also used to refer to certain strong-smelling strains of Cannabis whose smell has been compared to that of a skunk's spray.

Description[edit]

Skunk species vary in size from about 15.6 to 37 in (40 to 94 cm) long and in weight from about 1.1 lb (0.50 kg) (spotted skunks) to 18 lb (8.2 kg) (hog-nosed skunks). They have moderately elongated bodies with relatively short, well-muscled legs and long front claws for digging. They have five toes on each foot.

Back left foot of an albino skunk

Although the most common fur color is black and white, some skunks are brown or grey and a few are cream-colored. All skunks are striped, even from birth. They may have a single thick stripe across the back and tail, two thinner stripes, or a series of white spots and broken stripes (in the case of the spotted skunk).

Behavior[edit]

A skunk in Ontario, Canada

Skunks are crepuscular and solitary animals when not breeding, though in the colder parts of their range, they may gather in communal dens for warmth. During the day they shelter in burrows, which they can dig with their powerful front claws. For most of the year the normal home range for skunks is 0.5 to 2 miles (1 to 3 km) in diameter, with males expanding during breeding season to travel 4 to 5 miles (6 to 8 km) per night.[8]

Skunks are not true hibernators in the winter, but do den up for extended periods of time. However, they remain generally inactive and feed rarely, going through a dormant stage.[9] Over winter, multiple females (as many as 12) huddle together; males often den alone. Often, the same winter den is repeatedly used.

Although they have excellent senses of smell and hearing, they have poor vision, being unable to see objects more than about 3 m (10 ft) away, making them vulnerable to death by road traffic. They are short-lived; their lifespan in the wild can reach seven years, with an average of six years.[10][11] In captivity, they may live for up to 10 years.[10][11]

Reproduction[edit]

Skunks mate in early spring and are polygynous (that is, successful males are uninhibited from mating with additional females).

Before giving birth (usually in May), the female excavates a den to house her litter of four to seven kits.

Skunks are placental, with a gestation period of about 66 days.[12]

When born, skunk kits are blind and deaf, but already covered by a soft layer of fur. About three weeks after birth, they first open their eyes; the kits are weaned about two months after birth. They generally stay with their mother until they are ready to mate, roughly at one year of age.

The mother is protective of her kits, spraying at any sign of danger. The male plays no part in raising the young.[13]

Female skunk with young

Diet[edit]

Skunks are omnivorous, eating both plant and animal material and changing their diets as the seasons change. They eat insects, larvae, earthworms, grubs, rodents, lizards, salamanders, frogs, snakes, birds, moles, and eggs. They also commonly eat berries, roots, leaves, grasses, fungi and nuts.

In settled areas, skunks also seek garbage left by humans. Less often, skunks may be found acting as scavengers, eating bird and rodent carcasses left by cats or other animals. Pet owners, particularly those of cats, may experience a skunk finding its way into a garage or basement where pet food is kept. Skunks commonly dig holes in lawns in search of grubs and worms.

Skunks use their long claws to break apart rotting logs to find insects that live within them. They also use those claws to help dig for insects, which leaves behind pits, which are easy signs of foraging. The claws also help with pinning down live and active prey. [14]

Skunks are one of the primary predators of the honeybee, relying on their thick fur to protect them from stings. The skunk scratches at the front of the beehive and eats the guard bees that come out to investigate.[15] Mother skunks are known to teach this behavior to their young.

Spray[edit]

Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) in a defensive posture with erect and puffed tail, indicating its readiness to spray.

Skunks are notorious for their anal scent glands, which they can use as a defensive weapon. They are similar to, though much more developed than, the glands found in species of the family Mustelidae. Skunks have two glands, one on each side of the anus. These glands produce the skunk's spray, which is a mixture of sulfur-containing chemicals such as thiols (traditionally called mercaptans), which have an offensive odor. The thiols also make their spray highly flammable.[16][17] A skunk's spray is powerful enough to ward off bears and other potential attackers.[18] Muscles located next to the scent glands allow them to spray with a high degree of accuracy, as far as 3 m (10 ft).[19] The spray can also cause irritation and even temporary blindness, and is sufficiently powerful to be detected by a human nose up to 5.6 km (3.5 miles) downwind.[20] Their chemical defense is effective, as illustrated by this extract from Charles Darwin's 1839 book The Voyage of the Beagle:

We saw also a couple of Zorrillos, or skunks—odious animals, which are far from uncommon. In general appearance, the Zorrillo resembles a polecat, but it is rather larger and much thicker in proportion. Conscious of its power, it roams by day about the open plain and fears neither dog nor man. If a dog is urged to the attack, its courage is instantly checked by a few drops of the fetid oil, which brings on violent sickness and running at the nose. Whatever is once polluted by it, is forever useless. Azara says the smell can be perceived at a league distance; more than once, when entering the harbour of Monte Video, the wind being offshore, we have perceived the odour onboard the Beagle. Certain it is, that every animal most willingly makes room for the Zorrillo.[21]

Skunks carry just enough for five or six successive sprays – about 15 cm3 – and require up to ten days to produce another supply.[22] Their bold black and white coloration makes their appearance memorable. It is to a skunk's advantage to warn possible predators off without expending scent: black and white aposematic warning coloration aside, threatened skunks will go through an elaborate routine of hisses, foot-stamping, and tail-high deimatic or threat postures before resorting to spraying. Skunks usually do not spray other skunks, except among males in the mating season. If they fight over den space in autumn, they do so with teeth and claws.[23]

Most predators of the Americas, such as wolves, foxes, and badgers, seldom attack skunks, presumably out of fear of being sprayed. The exceptions are reckless predators whose attacks fail once they are sprayed, dogs, and the great horned owl,[24] which is the skunk's only regular predator.[25] In one case, the remains of 57 striped skunks were found in a single great horned owl nest.[26]

Skunks are common in suburban areas. Frequent encounters with dogs and other domestic animals, and the release of the odor when a skunk is run over, have led to many misconceptions about the removal of skunk odor, including the pervasive idea that tomato juice will neutralize the odor. These household remedies are ineffective, and only appear to work due to olfactory fatigue.[27] In the late 20th century, American chemist Paul Krebaum developed a compound that chemically neutralizes skunk spray by changing the odor-causing thiols into odorless acids. This compound can be prepared as a mixture of: 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup of baking soda, and 1-2 teaspoons of liquid dish soap.[28] The Humane Society of the United States recommends treating dogs using the Krebaum mixture.[29]

Skunk spray is composed mainly of three low-molecular-weight thiol compounds, (E)-2-butene-1-thiol, 3-methyl-1-butanethiol, and 2-quinolinemethanethiol, as well as acetate thioesters of these.[30][31][32][33][34][35] These compounds are detectable by the human nose at concentrations of only 11.3 parts per billion.[36][37]

Relations with humans[edit]

Bites[edit]

It is rare for a healthy skunk to bite a human, though a tame skunk whose scent glands have been removed (usually on behalf of those who will keep it as a pet) may defend itself by biting. There are, however, few recorded incidents of skunks biting humans. Skunk bites in humans can result in infection with the rabies virus. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recorded 1,494 cases of rabies in skunks in the United States for the year 2006—about 21.5% of reported cases in all species.[38][39]

Skunks in fact are less prominent than raccoons as vectors of rabies. (However, this varies regionally in the United States, with raccoons dominating along the Atlantic coast and the eastern Gulf of Mexico, while skunks instead predominate throughout the Midwest, including the western Gulf, and in California.)

As pets[edit]

Main article: Skunks as pets

A tame striped skunk

Mephitis mephitis, the striped skunk, is the most social skunk and the one most commonly kept as a pet. In the US, skunks can legally be kept as pets in 17 states.[40] When a skunk is kept as a pet, its scent glands are often surgically removed.[40]

A pet albino skunk on a walk

In the UK, skunks can be kept as pets,[41] but the Animal Welfare Act 2006 made it illegal to remove their scent glands.[42]

See also[edit]

List of fictional musteloids

Skunk oil

Notes[edit]

^ French: L'autre est vn animal basset, de la grandeur des petits chiens, ou d'vn chat ; ie luy donne place icy, non pour son excellence, mais pour en faire vn symbole du peché ; i'en ay veu trois ou quatre. Il est d'vn poil noir assez beau et luisant, il porte sur son dos deux rayes toutes blanches, qui se ioignans vers le col et croche de la queuë, font une ouale qui luy donne tres belle grace ; la queuë est touffuë et bien fournie de poil, comme la queuë d'vn Regnard, il la porte retroussée, comme vn Escurieux, elle est plus blanche que noire : vous diriez à l'œil notamment quand il marche, qu'il meriteroit estre nommé le petit chien de Iupiter ; mais il est si puant, et iette vne odeur si empestée, qu'il est indigne d'estre appellé le chien de Pluton, il n'y a voirie si infecte ; ie ne l'aurois pas creu si ie ne l'auois senty moy mesme, le cœur vous manque quasi quand vous en approchez. On en a tué deux dans nostre court ; plusieurs iours apres il sentoit si mal par tout nostre maison, qu'on n'en pouuoit supporter l'odeur. Ie croy que le peché que sentit saincte Catherine de Sienne, deuoit estre de mesme puanteur.[6]

References[edit]

^ "Old World skunk". Retrieverman.net. 2 November 2015. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2018.

^ Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M., eds. (2005). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.

^ "skunk (n.)". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 18 March 2021.

^ Harper, Douglas. "skunk". Online Etymology Dictionary.

^ Thwaites, Reuben Gold, ed. (1633–1634). The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents. Travels and Explorations of the Jesuit Missionaries in New France 1610—1791. Vol. VI. Quebec. Archived from the original on 15 December 2001.

^ Jesuits (1858). Relations des Jésuites contenant ce qui s’est passé de plus remarquable dans les missions des Pères de la Compagnie de Jésus dans la Nouvelle-France [The Jesuit Relations, Containing the Most Remarkable Things Which Have Transpired in the Missions of the Fathers of the Society of Jesus in New France] (in French). Québec: Augustin Coté. p. 212.

^ "Skunk Fact Sheet" (PDF). The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division.

^ Brittingham, Margaret (23 June 2006). "Skunks - Solutions to Common Problems". PennState Extension.

^ "Striped Skunk | Adirondack Ecological Center | SUNY ESF | College of Environmental Science and Forestry". www.esf.edu. Retrieved 4 December 2022.

^ a b ADW: Mephitis mephitis: INFORMATION. Animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu. Retrieved on 5 April 2012.

^ a b Virtual Nature Trail. Striped Skunk. The Pennsylvania State University (2002).

^ "Skunks Management Guidelines". Ipm.ucdavis.edu.

^ "Eastern Spotted Skunk". Missouri Department of Conservation. Retrieved 23 February 2019.

^ "Striped Skunk | Adirondack Ecological Center | SUNY ESF | College of Environmental Science and Forestry". www.esf.edu. Retrieved 6 December 2022.

^ April (8 March 2022). "Do Skunks Eat Bees? (If Yes, Why Do They?)". Exploration Squared. Retrieved 4 December 2022.

^ "18 Interesting Facts About Skunks". Wildlife Informer. 17 May 2020.

^ "Is That Skunk? Skunk Spray Chemistry". Nature. 24 August 2011.

^ "Ask a Bear: Skunk Spray as Deterrent?". 4 May 2011.

^ "Skunks: Notorious—or Not?Skunks: Notorious—or Not?". National Wildlife Federation. Retrieved 6 December 2022.

^ "19 Stinky Skunk Facts". Fact Animal. Retrieved 6 December 2022.

^ Darwin, Charles (1839). Voyage of the Beagle. London, England: Penguin. ISBN 0-14-043268-X. Retrieved 27 June 2006.

^ Biology and Control of Skunks. Agriculture and Rural Development. Government of Alberta, Canada. 1 June 2002

^ "Do Skunks Fight Each Other?". www.wildlife-removal.com. Retrieved 6 December 2022.

^ "Oregon Zoo Animals: Great Horned Owl". Oregonzoo.org. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2012.

^ "Great Horned Owl". The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2013.

^ Hunter, Luke (2011). Carnivores of the World. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-15228-8.[page needed]

^ Is it true that tomato sauce will get rid of the smell of a skunk?. Scienceline. Retrieved on 5 April 2012.

^ "Removing Skunk Odor" (PDF). University of Nebraska–Lincoln. UNL Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Retrieved 21 January 2024.

^ "What to do when a skunk sprays your dog". The Humane Society of the United States.

^ Andersen K. K.; Bernstein D. T. (1978). "Some Chemical Constituents of the Scent of the Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)". Journal of Chemical Ecology. 1 (4): 493–499. doi:10.1007/BF00988589. S2CID 9451251.

^ Andersen K. K.; Bernstein D. T. (1978). "1-Butanethiol and the Striped Skunk". Journal of Chemical Education. 55 (3): 159–160. Bibcode:1978JChEd..55..159A. doi:10.1021/ed055p159.

^ Andersen K. K.; Bernstein D. T.; Caret R. L.; Romanczyk L. J. Jr. (1982). "Chemical Constituents of the Defensive Secretion of the Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)". Tetrahedron. 38 (13): 1965–1970. doi:10.1016/0040-4020(82)80046-X.

^ Wood, William F. (1990). "New Components in Defensive Secretion of the Striped Skunk, Mephitis mephitis". J. Chemical Ecology. 16: 2057–2065. doi:10.1007/BF01020516.

^ Wood W. F.; Sollers B. G.; Dragoo G. A.; Dragoo J. W. (2002). "Volatile Components in Defensive Spray of the Hooded Skunk, Mephitis macroura". Journal of Chemical Ecology. 28 (9): 1865–70. doi:10.1023/A:1020573404341. PMID 12449512. S2CID 19217201.

^ Wood, William F. "Chemistry of Skunk Spray". Dept. of Chemistry, Humboldt State University. Retrieved 27 July 2010.

^ Wood, William F. (1999). "The History of Skunk Defensive Secretion Research" (PDF). Chem. Educator. 4 (2): 44–50. doi:10.1007/s00897990286a. S2CID 94181805. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 September 2003.

^ Aldrich, T.B. (1896). "A chemical study of the secretion of the anal glands of mephitis mephitica (common skunk), with remarks on the physiological properties of this secretion". J. Exp. Med. 1 (2): 323–340. doi:10.1084/jem.1.2.323. PMC 2117909. PMID 19866801.

^ Blanton J.D.; Hanlon C.A.; Rupprecht C.E. (2007). "Rabies surveillance in the United States during 2006". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 231 (4): 540–56. doi:10.2460/javma.231.4.540. PMID 17696853.; Updated in Dyer JL, Yager P, Orciari L, Greenberg L, Wallace R, Hanlon CA, Blanton JD (2014). "Rabies surveillance in the United States during 2013". J Am Vet Med Assoc. 245 (10): 1111–23. doi:10.2460/javma.245.10.1111. PMC 5120391. PMID 25356711.

^ "Rabies Surveillance US 2006" (PDF). U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

^ a b "Is That Skunk? | Do Skunks Make Good Pets?". PBS. 20 November 2008.

^ "A stink in the tale: Why Britain is swooning over the pet with a pong". The Independent. 23 April 2011.

^ "Animal Welfare Act 2006" (PDF). Retrieved 5 December 2009.

External links[edit]

Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article "Skunk".

Skunk at Curlie

Skunks and the management of skunk damage Archived 13 November 2016 at the Wayback Machine

vteExtant Carnivora species

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Infraclass: Eutheria

Superorder: Laurasiatheria

Suborder FeliformiaNandiniidaeNandinia

African palm civet (N. binotata)

Herpestidae(Mongooses)Atilax

Marsh mongoose (A. paludinosus)

Bdeogale

Bushy-tailed mongoose (B. crassicauda)

Jackson's mongoose (B. jacksoni)

Black-footed mongoose (B. nigripes)

Crossarchus

Alexander's kusimanse (C. alexandri)

Angolan kusimanse (C. ansorgei)

Common kusimanse (C. obscurus)

Flat-headed kusimanse (C. platycephalus)

Cynictis

Yellow mongoose (C. penicillata)

Dologale

Pousargues's mongoose (D. dybowskii)

Helogale

Ethiopian dwarf mongoose (H. hirtula)

Common dwarf mongoose (H. parvula)

Herpestes

Angolan slender mongoose (H. flavescens)

Egyptian mongoose (H. ichneumon)

Somalian slender mongoose (H. ochracea)

Cape gray mongoose (H. pulverulenta)

Common slender mongoose (H. sanguinea)

Ichneumia

White-tailed mongoose (I. albicauda)

Liberiictus

Liberian mongoose (L. kuhni)

Mungos

Gambian mongoose (M. gambianus)

Banded mongoose (M. mungo)

Paracynictis

Selous's mongoose (P. selousi)

Rhynchogale

Meller's mongoose (R. melleri)

Suricata

Meerkat (S. suricatta)

Urva

Small Indian mongoose (U. auropunctata)

Short-tailed mongoose (U. brachyura)

Indian grey mongoose (U. edwardsii)

Indian brown mongoose (U. fusca)

Javan mongoose (U. javanica)

Collared mongoose (U. semitorquata)

Ruddy mongoose (U. smithii)

Crab-eating mongoose (U. urva)

Stripe-necked mongoose (U. vitticolla)

Xenogale

Long-nosed mongoose (X. naso)

Hyaenidae(Hyenas)Crocuta

Spotted hyena (C. crocuta)

Hyaena

Striped hyena (H. hyaena)

Parahyaena

Brown hyena (P. brunnea)

Proteles

Aardwolf (P. cristata)

FelidaeLarge family listed belowViverridaeLarge family listed belowEupleridaeSmall family listed belowFamily FelidaeFelinaeAcinonyx

Cheetah (A. jubatus)

Caracal

African golden cat (C. aurata)

Caracal (C. caracal)

Catopuma

Bay cat (C. badia)

Asian golden cat (C. temminckii)

Felis

Chinese mountain cat (F. bieti)

Domestic cat (F. catus)

Jungle cat (F. chaus)

African wildcat (F. lybica)

Sand cat (F. margarita)

Black-footed cat (F. nigripes)

European wildcat (F. silvestris)

Herpailurus

Jaguarundi (H. yagouaroundi)

Leopardus

Pampas cat (L. colocola)

Geoffroy's cat (L. geoffroyi)

Kodkod (L. guigna)

Southern tiger cat (L. guttulus)

Andean mountain cat (L. jacobita)

Ocelot (L. pardalis)

Oncilla (L. tigrinus)

Margay (L. wiedii)

Nariño cat (L. narinensis)

Leptailurus

Serval (L. serval)

Lynx

Canada lynx (L. canadensis)

Eurasian lynx (L. lynx)

Iberian lynx (L. pardinus)

Bobcat (L. rufus)

Otocolobus

Pallas's cat (O. manul)

Pardofelis

Marbled cat (P. marmorata)

Prionailurus

Leopard cat (P. bengalensis)

Sunda leopard cat (P. javanensis)

Flat-headed cat (P. planiceps)

Rusty-spotted cat (P. rubiginosus)

Fishing cat (P. viverrinus)

Puma

Cougar (P. concolor)

PantherinaePanthera

Lion (P. leo)

Jaguar (P. onca)

Leopard (P. pardus)

Tiger (P. tigris)

Snow leopard (P. uncia)

Neofelis

Sunda clouded leopard (N. diardi)

Clouded leopard (N. nebulosa)

PrionodontidaePrionodon

Banded linsang (P. linsang)

Spotted linsang (P. pardicolor)

Family ViverridaeParadoxurinaeArctictis

Binturong (A. binturong)

Arctogalidia

Small-toothed palm civet (A. trivirgata)

Macrogalidia

Sulawesi palm civet (M. musschenbroekii)

Paguma

Masked palm civet (P. larvata)

Paradoxurus

Asian palm civet (P. hermaphroditus)

Brown palm civet (P. jerdoni)

Golden palm civet (P. zeylonensis)

HemigalinaeChrotogale

Owston's palm civet (C. owstoni)

Cynogale

Otter civet (C. bennettii)

Diplogale

Hose's palm civet (D. hosei)

Hemigalus

Banded palm civet (H. derbyanus)

ViverrinaeCivettictis

African civet (C. civetta)

Viverra

Malabar large-spotted civet (V. civettina)

Large-spotted civet (V. megaspila)

Malayan civet (V. tangalunga)

Large Indian civet (V. zibetha)

Viverricula

Small Indian civet (V. indica)

GenettinaeGenetta(Genets)

Abyssinian genet (G. abyssinica)

Angolan genet (G. angolensis)

Bourlon's genet (G. bourloni)

Crested servaline genet (G. cristata)

Common genet (G. genetta)

Johnston's genet (G. johnstoni)

Letaba genet (G. letabae)

Rusty-spotted genet (G. maculata)

Pardine genet (G. pardina)

Aquatic genet (G. piscivora)

King genet (G. poensis)

Servaline genet (G. servalina)

Hausa genet (G. thierryi)

Cape genet (G. tigrina)

Giant forest genet (G. victoriae)

South African small-spotted genet (G. felina)

Poiana

Central African oyan (P. richardsonii)

West African oyan (P. leightoni)

Family EupleridaeEuplerinaeCryptoprocta

Fossa (C. ferox)

Eupleres

Eastern falanouc (E. goudotii)

Western falanouc (E. major)

Fossa

Malagasy civet (F. fossana)

GalidiinaeGalidia

Ring-tailed vontsira (G. elegans)

Galidictis

Broad-striped Malagasy mongoose (G. fasciata)

Grandidier's mongoose (G. grandidieri)

Mungotictis

Narrow-striped mongoose (M. decemlineata)

Salanoia

Brown-tailed mongoose (S. concolor)

Durrell's vontsira (S. durrelli)

Suborder Caniformia (cont. below)Ursidae(Bears)Ailuropoda

Giant panda (A. melanoleuca)

Helarctos

Sun bear (H. malayanus)

Melursus

Sloth bear (M. ursinus)

Tremarctos

Spectacled bear (T. ornatus)

Ursus

American black bear (U. americanus)

Brown bear (U. arctos)

Polar bear (U. maritimus)

Asian black bear (U. thibetanus)

Mephitidae(Skunks)Conepatus(Hog-nosedskunks)

Molina's hog-nosed skunk (C. chinga)

Humboldt's hog-nosed skunk (C. humboldtii)

American hog-nosed skunk (C. leuconotus)

Striped hog-nosed skunk (C. semistriatus)

Mephitis

Hooded skunk (M. macroura)

Striped skunk (M. mephitis)

Mydaus

Sunda stink badger (M. javanensis)

Palawan stink badger (M. marchei)

Spilogale(Spotted skunks)

Southern spotted skunk (S. angustifrons)

Western spotted skunk (S. gracilis)

Eastern spotted skunk (S. putorius)

Pygmy spotted skunk (S. pygmaea)

Procyonidae(Raccoons, coatis, olingos)Bassaricyon(Olingos)

Eastern lowland olingo (B. alleni)

Northern olingo (B. gabbii)

Western lowland olingo (B. medius)

Olinguito (B. neblina)

Bassariscus

Ringtail (B. astutus)

Cacomistle (B. sumichrasti)

Nasua(Coatis inclusive)

White-nosed coati (N. narica)

South American coati (N. nasua)

Nasuella(Coatis inclusive)

Eastern mountain coati (N. meridensis)

Western mountain coati (N. olivacea)

Potos

Kinkajou (P. flavus)

Procyon

Crab-eating raccoon (P. cancrivorus)

Raccoon (P. lotor)

Cozumel raccoon (P. pygmaeus)

AiluridaeAilurus

Red panda (A. fulgens)

Suborder Caniformia (cont. above)Otariidae(Eared seals)(includes fur sealsand sea lions)(Pinniped inclusive)Arctocephalus

South American fur seal (A. australis)

Australasian fur seal (A. forsteri)

Galápagos fur seal (A. galapagoensis)

Antarctic fur seal (A. gazella)

Juan Fernández fur seal (A. philippii)

Brown fur seal (A. pusillus)

Guadalupe fur seal (A. townsendi)

Subantarctic fur seal (A. tropicalis)

Callorhinus

Northern fur seal (C. ursinus)

Eumetopias

Steller sea lion (E. jubatus)

Neophoca

Australian sea lion (N. cinerea)

Otaria

South American sea lion (O. flavescens)

Phocarctos

New Zealand sea lion (P. hookeri)

Zalophus

California sea lion (Z. californianus)

Galápagos sea lion (Z. wollebaeki)

Odobenidae(Pinniped inclusive)Odobenus

Walrus (O. rosmarus)

Phocidae(Earless seals)(Pinniped inclusive)Cystophora

Hooded seal (C. cristata)

Erignathus

Bearded seal (E. barbatus)

Halichoerus

Grey seal (H. grypus)

Histriophoca

Ribbon seal (H. fasciata)

Hydrurga

Leopard seal (H. leptonyx)

Leptonychotes

Weddell seal (L. weddellii)

Lobodon

Crabeater seal (L. carcinophagus)

Mirounga(Elephant seals)

Northern elephant seal (M. angustirostris)

Southern elephant seal (M. leonina)

Monachus

Mediterranean monk seal (M. monachus)

Neomonachus

Hawaiian monk seal (N. schauinslandi)

Ommatophoca

Ross seal (O. rossi)

Pagophilus

Harp seal (P. groenlandicus)

Phoca

Spotted seal (P. largha)

Harbor seal (P. vitulina)

Pusa

Caspian seal (P. caspica)

Ringed seal (P. hispida)

Baikal seal (P. sibirica)

CanidaeLarge family listed belowMustelidaeLarge family listed belowFamily Canidae (includes dogs)Atelocynus

Short-eared dog (A. microtis)

Canis

Golden jackal (C. aureus)

Domestic dog (C. familiaris)

Coyote (C. latrans)

African wolf (C. lupaster)

Wolf (C. lupus)

Eastern wolf (C. lycaon)

Red wolf (C. rufus)

Ethiopian wolf (C. simensis)

Cerdocyon

Crab-eating fox (C. thous)

Chrysocyon

Maned wolf (C. brachyurus)

Cuon

Dhole (C. alpinus)

Lupulella

Side-striped jackal (L. adustus)

Black-backed jackal (L. mesomelas)

Lycalopex

Culpeo (L. culpaeus)

Darwin's fox (L. fulvipes)

South American gray fox (L. griseus)

Pampas fox (L. gymnocercus)

Sechuran fox (L. sechurae)

Hoary fox (L. vetulus)

Lycaon

African wild dog (L. pictus)

Nyctereutes

Common raccoon dog (N. procyonoides)

Japanese raccoon dog (N. viverrinus)

Otocyon

Bat-eared fox (O. megalotis)

Speothos

Bush dog (S. venaticus)

Urocyon

Gray fox (U. cinereoargenteus)

Island fox (U. littoralis)

Vulpes (Foxes)

Bengal fox (V. bengalensis)

Blanford's fox (V. cana)

Cape fox (V. chama)

Corsac fox (V. corsac)

Tibetan fox (V. ferrilata)

Arctic fox (V. lagopus)

Kit fox (V. macrotis)

Pale fox (V. pallida)

Rüppell's fox (V. rueppelli)

Swift fox (V. velox)

Red fox (V. vulpes)

Fennec fox (V. zerda)

Family MustelidaeHelictidinae(Ferret-badgers)Melogale

Vietnam ferret-badger (M. cucphuongensis)

Bornean ferret badger (M. everetti)

Chinese ferret-badger (M. moschata)

Javan ferret-badger (M. orientalis)

Burmese ferret-badger (M. personata)

Formosan ferret-badger (M. subaurantiaca)

Guloninae(Martens and wolverines)Eira

Tayra (E. barbara)

Gulo

Wolverine (G. gulo)

Martes(Martens)

American marten (M. americana)

Pacific marten (M. caurina)

Yellow-throated marten (M. flavigula)

Beech marten (M. foina)

Nilgiri marten (M. gwatkinsii)

European pine marten (M. martes)

Japanese marten (M. melampus)

Sable (M. zibellina)

Pekania

Fisher (P. pennanti)

Ictonychinae(African polecats and grisons)Galictis

Lesser grison (G. cuja)

Greater grison (G. vittata)

Ictonyx

Saharan striped polecat (I. libyca)

Striped polecat (I. striatus)

Lyncodon

Patagonian weasel (L. patagonicus)

Poecilogale

African striped weasel (P. albinucha)

Vormela

Marbled polecat (V. peregusna)

Lutrinae(Otters)Aonyx

African clawless otter (A. capensis)

Asian small-clawed otter (A. cinereus)

Congo clawless otter (A. congicus)

Enhydra

Sea otter (E. lutris)

Hydrictis

Spotted-necked otter (H. maculicollis)

Lontra

North American river otter (L. canadensis)

Marine otter (L. felina)

Neotropical otter (L. longicaudis)

Southern river otter (L. provocax)

Lutra

Eurasian otter (L. lutra)

Hairy-nosed otter (L. sumatrana)

Lutrogale

Smooth-coated otter (L. perspicillata)

Pteronura

Giant otter (P. brasiliensis)

Melinae(Eurasian badgers)Arctonyx

Northern hog badger (A. albogularis)

Greater hog badger (A. collaris)

Sumatran hog badger (A. hoevenii)

Meles

Japanese badger (M. anakuma)

Caucasian badger (M. canescens)

Asian badger (M. leucurus)

European badger (M. meles)

MellivorinaeMellivora

Honey badger (M. capensis)

Mustelinae(Weasels and minks)Mustela(Weasels and ferrets)

Sichuan weasel (M. aistoodonnivalis)

Mountain weasel (M. altaica)

Stoat/Beringian ermine (M. erminea)

Steppe polecat (M. eversmannii)

Ferret (M. furo)

Haida ermine (M. haidarum)

Japanese weasel (M. itatsi)

Yellow-bellied weasel (M. kathiah)

European mink (M. lutreola)

Indonesian mountain weasel (M. lutreolina)

Black-footed ferret (M. nigripes)

Least weasel (M. nivalis)

Malayan weasel (M. nudipes)

European polecat (M. putorius)

American ermine (M. richardsonii)

Siberian weasel (M. sibirica)

Back-striped weasel (M. strigidorsa)

Neogale

Amazon weasel (N. africana)

Colombian weasel (N. felipei)

Long-tailed weasel (N. frenata)

American mink (N. vison)

TaxidiinaeTaxidea

American badger (T. taxus)

Authority control databases: National

Israel

United States

Czech Republic

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Skunk | Scent, Size, Habitat, & Facts | Britannica

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Skunk - Description, Habitat, Image, Diet, and Interesting Facts

HomeAnimal IndexComplete List of AnimalsA – GAnimals that start with AAnimals that start with BAnimals that start with CAnimals that start with DAnimals that start with EAnimals that start with FAnimals that start with GH – NAnimals that start with HAnimals that start with IAnimals that start with JAnimals that start with KAnimals that start with LAnimals that start with MAnimals that start with NO – TAnimals that start with OAnimals that start with PAnimals that start with QAnimals that start with RAnimals that start with SAnimals that start with TU – ZAnimals that start with UAnimals that start with VAnimals that start with WAnimals that start with XAnimals that start with YAnimals that start with ZDogsParks and ZoosCitationContact Us Search HomeAnimal IndexComplete List of AnimalsA – GAnimals that start with AAnimals that start with BAnimals that start with CAnimals that start with DAnimals that start with EAnimals that start with FAnimals that start with GH – NAnimals that start with HAnimals that start with IAnimals that start with JAnimals that start with KAnimals that start with LAnimals that start with MAnimals that start with NO – TAnimals that start with OAnimals that start with PAnimals that start with QAnimals that start with RAnimals that start with SAnimals that start with TU – ZAnimals that start with UAnimals that start with VAnimals that start with WAnimals that start with XAnimals that start with YAnimals that start with ZDogsParks and ZoosCitationContact Us Animals Network HomeAnimal IndexComplete List of AnimalsA – GAnimals that start with AAnimals that start with BAnimals that start with CAnimals that start with DAnimals that start with EAnimals that start with FAnimals that start with GH – NAnimals that start with HAnimals that start with IAnimals that start with JAnimals that start with KAnimals that start with LAnimals that start with MAnimals that start with NO – TAnimals that start with OAnimals that start with PAnimals that start with QAnimals that start with RAnimals that start with SAnimals that start with TU – ZAnimals that start with UAnimals that start with VAnimals that start with WAnimals that start with XAnimals that start with YAnimals that start with ZDogsParks and ZoosCitationContact Us MammaliaCarnivoraChordataMephitidaeConepatusMephitisSpilogaleSkunkBy Animals Network TeamSkunks are notoriously stinky little mammals. These creatures are best known for their ability to spray an extremely smelly liquid when threatened. Skunks come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.Scientists have identified 10 different skunk species across North, Central, and South America. Some are the classic black and white striped, while others are brown, cream, or reddish in color. Read on to learn about the skunk. Description of the Skunk The different skunk species range in size, but they are all small-medium sized mammals. The smallest adults are a little over one foot long, and the largest are up to three feet long including their tails. All species have short legs, long bodies, and a relatively stout build. Because they are fond of digging, their front legs are muscular, and their claws are long and sharp.Interesting Facts About the SkunkThese creatures get a bad reputation, but they are intelligent animals with lots of interesting traits and adaptations. Learn more about what makes skunks so interesting below.Buggy Business – Skunks are omnivores, and feed on a variety of small mammals, eggs, reptiles, fruits, grasses, wasps, and bees. They also eat carrion, and often search for garbage and pet food around people’s homes. Bees and wasps are some of their favorite foods, and they use their strong sense of smell to find nests.Sightless – Though they have a great sense of smell, skunks have extremely poor eyesight. They cannot see objects that are farther than 10 ft. away from them. Unfortunately, this makes them susceptible to being hit by cars. Especially in areas with food litter near the road.Warning Coloration – All species of skunks have a defensive pattern called warning coloration. Warning coloration is the color or pattern of an animal warns other creatures that they are dangerous in some way. In skunks, the contrasting light and dark colors, and the stripes, means “don’t mess with me!”Stinky Defenses – The famous smelly defense strategy of the skunk is to spray an assailant with foul-smelling liquid. This fluid is a combination of chemicals from the anal glands, which can squirt towards adversaries up to 10 feet away. The spray is so potent that is can even deter brown and black bears!Habitat of the SkunkThe different skunk species will occupy a wide range of habitats. Some are more particular than others, and specialize in a specific habitat. Some frequently occupied habitats are forests, mixed woodlands, rocky outcrops, scrubland, agricultural areas, and even urban areas. There are many different habitats across the range of the different species, and each species has their own preferences.Distribution of the SkunkThe distribution of each skunk species is different. As a whole, the various species range from North America all the way to South America. Different species of skunks can reside in Canada, the United States, throughout Central America, and various areas of South America. Different species also range throughout Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, Columbia, and more.Diet of the SkunkAll of the 10 skunk species are omnivores, which means that they eat both plants and animals. Specific diet varies by species, season, and by region. Insects make up an important of the diet, as wells as worms and larvae.They also feed on reptiles, amphibians, birds, small mammals, eggs, and other small creatures. Some of the plant matter that they eat includes roots, grasses, nuts, mushrooms, berries, seeds, leaves, and fruits.Skunk and Human InteractionHumans tend to avoid skunks when at all possible, and for obvious – and stinky – reasons. However, this does not mean that we do not impact the lives and populations of these creatures. Cars run over skunks, domestic dogs attack them, and their habitats disappear as human populations expand.Habitat destruction poses a risk to all animals in an area, including skunks. The degree of human impact varies by species. All but two species are not in danger of extinction. Both the pygmy spotted skunk and the eastern spotted skunk have vulnerable populations.DomesticationHumans have not domesticated skunks in any way.Does the Skunk Make a Good PetPeople sometimes keep skunks as pets, but in many places it is illegal to own a pet skunk. Humans surgically remove the scent glands of skunks bred as pets. Regardless, they do not lose all their smell, and can still be quite stinky. Skunks require more care than your average dog or cat, and it is important to do your research before considering purchasing one.Skunk CareIn a zoological or pet setting, the primary concerns should be proper nutrition, exercise, and mental stimulation. A veterinarian should supervise their diet, and recommend the ratio of vegetation to protein, and appropriate protein sources.Skunks also need plenty of space for exercise and exploration, as they can grow overweight in human care. A wide variety of environmental enrichment, like toys, new scents, and puzzle feeders, keep the skunks entertained and stimulated.Behavior of the SkunkThough all species are slightly different, most skunks are solitary in nature. They will congregate in communal dens during particularly cold winters, but usually range throughout their habitat alone.These creatures are most active in the early morning and late evening, making them crepuscular. During the day, they will sleep underground. Skunks use their strong claws to dig burrows to hide in, but do not truly hibernate in them. Instead, during the winter they are dominant for periods, but will emerge to feed once in a while.Reproduction of the SkunkMales have larger territories than females, and they will mate with any females within their range. After breeding, the female digs herself a den to give birth in after a gestation period of approximately two months.Each litter has between four and seven baby skunks, called kits. The mother weans the kits off of her milk at around two months old, but they remain with their mother until they start families of their own at about a year old.TAGSeastern spotted skunkpygmy spotted skunkskunkCydni Oldham RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR ArtiodactylaRed Angus ChordataPaint Horse ActinopterygiiBlack Sole Expert Recommendations Dog CareBest Dog Clippers Dog CareBest Dog Harness Dog CareBest Dog Food for Pitbulls Dog CareBest Dog Food for Skin Allergies Dog CareBest Wireless Dog Fences Dog CareBest Dog Frisbee Dog CareBest Dog Backpack Dog CareBest Dog Beds for Large Dogs Dog CareBest Dog Shampoo for Dry Skin Dog CareBest Dog GPS TrackerAnimals.NET aim to promote interest in nature and animals among children, as well as raise their awareness in conservation and environmental protection. All photos used are royalty-free, and credits are included in the Alt tag of each image.EVEN MORE NEWSRed AngusPaint HorseHouse SpiderPOPULAR CATEGORYChordata694Mammalia247Aves197Dog Breeds184Actinopterygii121Reptilia87Carnivora72Privacy PolicyContact UsAbout UsTerms and Conditions © Animals.NET 2018

Skunk

Skip to contentSearchShopGamesPuzzlesActionFunny Fill-InVideosAmazing AnimalsWeird But True!Party AnimalsTry This!AnimalsMammalsBirdsPrehistoricReptilesAmphibiansInvertebratesFishExplore MoreMagazinehistoryScienceSpaceU.S. StatesWeird But True!SubscribemenuPlease be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.1 / 31 / 3Baby skunks, called kits, can spray when they're just eight days old. That's around two weeks before their eyes open.Baby skunks, called kits, can spray when they're just eight days old. That's around two weeks before their eyes open.Photograph by All Canada Photos / AlamyAnimalsMammalsSkunkSkunks live all over North and South America, in rural areas, suburbs, and the city. But if you see one, watch out!Common Name: Striped SkunkScientific Name: Mephitis mephitisType: MammalsDiet: OmnivoreGroup Name: SurfeitAverage Life Span In The Wild: 3 yearsSize: Head and body: 8 to 19 inches; tail: 5 to 15 inchesWeight: 7 ounces to 14 poundsYou may not have seen a skunk in your neighborhood, but you've probably smelled one. Their smelly spray, called musk, is not easy to ignore!The spray, which comes from two glands near the base of the skunk’s tail, can hit a target 12 feet away. If you are lucky, you may get a warning before being sprayed. If threatened, skunks stamp their front feet, lift their tail, and growl. Some species of skunk even spring into a handstand before spraying, which puts the skunk's warning markings on full display. If the person or animal doesn’t retreat, the skunk aims the spray at the eyes, allowing the skunk to escape. The spray can remain on its target for days.Skunks are most active at night. They sleep in dens lined with leaves during the day. Their favorite foods include fruit and plants, plus insects, bird eggs, small rodents, and birds. Birds like the great horned owl prey on skunks. Scientists believe it’s because the birds don’t have a very good sense of smell, which makes the skunk’s spray useless in an attack.Check out where skunks live.National Geographic MapsPlease be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.0:35A Stinky 10How can the acrobatics of an animal, be stinky?Explore more!Amazing AnimalsWatch to discover interesting facts about animals from all over the world.Comeback crittersSee how animal species in trouble have come back from the brink of extinction.Save the Earth tipsFind out how you can help make a difference.Endangered Species ActHow this 1973 law protects animalsLegalTerms of UsePrivacy PolicyYour California Privacy RightsChildren's Online Privacy PolicyInterest-Based AdsAbout Nielsen MeasurementDo Not Sell My InfoOur SitesNational GeographicNational Geographic EducationShop Nat GeoCustomer ServiceJoin UsSubscribeManage Your Subscription Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

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Animals

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Facts About Skunks

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By Alina Bradford published 22 June 2016

The striped skunk is found across most of southern Canada, all over the United States and in northern Mexico.

(Image credit: Volt Collection)

Skunks are small, furry animals with black and white stripes. Some skunks are striped, and some are spotted or have swirl patterns on their fur. No matter the pattern, the black-and-white coloring is a warning sign to anyone who may harm this small creature. They pack a wallop of a defense mechanism — noxious odors produced from their well-developed scent glands. SizeSkunks are typically around the size of house cats. They grow to 8 to 19 inches (20 to 48 centimeters) long and weigh around 7 ounces to 14 lbs. (198 grams to 6 kilograms). Their tail adds another 5 to 15 inches (13 to 38 cm) to their length.The Eastern hog-nosed skunk is the largest of all the skunk species, according to the Animal Diversity Web (ADW). It typically grows to 27.56 to 31.50 inches (70 to 80 cm) and weighs 4.41 to 9.91 lbs. (2 to 4.5 kg). HabitatThese small stinkers are found in the United States, Canada, South America and Mexico. Stink badgers, which were recently considered part of the skunk family, are found in Indonesia and the Philippines. Skunks live in forest edges, woodlands, grasslands and deserts. They typically make their homes in abandoned burrows, but will also live in abandoned buildings, under large rocks and in hollow logs. HabitsThe skunk’s most memorable trait is its smell. When frightened, skunks will shoot a smelly, oily substance from a gland underneath their tails with a range of up to 10 feet (3 meters), according to National Geographic. The scent from this gland can last for days, but isn’t harmful. Most animals leave skunks alone unless they can’t find other prey. Before spraying, a spotted skunk will do a handstand on its front paws and aim its tail without taking its eyes off its attacker.It is important to remember that most skunks are not aggressive and won’t harm humans unless they are threatened, according to The Humane Society.Skunks are nocturnal and forage for food while most animals and humans sleep. Though you typically see skunks by themselves, they gather to mate. A group of skunks are called a surfeit. DietSkunks are omnivores, which means they eat both meat and vegetation. Their diet consists of plants, insects, larvae, worms, fruit, eggs, reptiles, small mammals and fish. OffspringLittle is known about the biology of stink badgers, according to the ADW.Female skunks give birth every year. Their gestation period often lasts around two months and they give birth to two to 10 offspring at a time. Baby skunks are called kits. Kits are blind when born, since their eyes are sealed shut until around the age of 3 weeks, according to the San Diego Zoo. They are weaned at 2 months old. After they are weaned, they leave the den and at to 10 to 12 months old they are ready to have their own kits.Skunks have very short lives and often live only around three years. In captivity they can live a little longer, usually seven to eight years.There are four species of spotted skunks. Western spotted skunks (pictured) extend from central Mexico through the western United States to British Columbia; Southern spotted skunks occur from central Mexico south to central Costa Rica; Eastern spotted skunks are found from eastern Canada, down the Appalachians to northeast Mexico. (Image credit: Adam Dillon/University of California, Santa Barbara) Classification/taxonomyUntil recently, skunks were considered part of the Mustelid family, related to weasels, otters and badgers. Molecular analysis has shown that skunks should be recognized as a single family, Mephitidae, according to the ADW. Also, stink badgers, which occur in Indonesia and the Philippines, have just recently been considered part of the skunk family.Here is the classification of mephitids, according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS):Kingdom: Animalia Subkingdom: Bilateria Infrakingdom: Deuterostomia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Infraphylum: Gnathostomata Superclass: Tetrapoda Class: Mammalia Subclass: Theria Infraclass: Eutheria Order: Carnivora Suborder: Caniformia Family: Mephitidae Genera:Conepatus (hog-nosed skunks)Mephitis (hooded skunks, striped skunks)Spilogale (spotted skunks)Mydaus (stink badgers)Species:Conepatus chinga (Molina's hog-nosed skunk)Conepatus humboldtii (Humboldt's hog-nosed skunk)Conepatus leuconotus (American hog-nosed skunk, Eastern hog-nosed skunk, white-backed hog-nosed skunk, badger skunk, rooter skunk, Texas skunk)Conepatus semistriatus (striped hog-nosed skunk)Mephitis macroura (hooded skunk)Mephitis mephitis (striped skunk)Spilogale angustifrons (Southern spotted skunk)Spilogale gracilis (Western spotted skunk)Spilogale putorius (Eastern spotted skunk, spotted skunk)Spilogale pygmaea (pygmy spotted skunk)Mydaus javanensis (Sunda stink badger, Indonesian stink badger)Mydaus marchei (Palawan stink badger) Conservation statusNo skunk species is currently endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Except for one, all are listed on the union's Red List of Threatened Species as "least concern." The pygmy spotted skunk is listed as vulnerable due to and ongoing population loss estimated to be more than 30 percent over the past three generations of the species. Other factsBefore spraying, a skunk will often charge at an attacker, stomp its front legs or hiss.Skunk are one of four wild animals considered to be primary carriers of the rabies virus, according to the Humane Society.The Eastern spotted skunk is the only skunk that can climb trees, according to the ADW. Additional resourcesNature: Baby Skunk VideoPBS: Striped SkunkADW: Hooded Skunk

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Striped Skunk | National Geographic

Skip to contentNewslettersSubscribeMenuA striped skunk photographed at The New Mexico Wildlife Center in EspañolaPhotograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo ArkPlease be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.AnimalsPhoto ArkStriped SkunkShareTweetEmailCommon Name: Striped SkunkScientific Name: Mephitis mephitisType: MammalsDiet: OmnivoreGroup Name: SurfeitAverage Life Span In The Wild: 3 yearsSize: Head and body: 8 to 19 inches; tail: 5 to 15 inchesWeight: 7 ounces to 14 poundsSize relative to a 6-ft man: IUCN Red List Status: ? Least concern LCNTVUENCREWEX Least Concern Extinct Current Population Trend: StableSkunks are legendary for their powerful predator-deterrent—a hard-to-remove, horrible-smelling spray. Skunk SprayA skunk's spray is an oily liquid produced by glands under its large tail. To employ this scent bomb, a skunk turns around and blasts its foe with a foul mist that can travel as far as ten feet.Skunk spray causes no real damage to its victims, but it sure makes them uncomfortable. It can linger for many days and defy attempts to remove it. As a defensive technique, the spray is very effective. Predators typically give skunks a wide berth unless little other food is available.BehaviorSkunks usually nest in burrows constructed by other animals, but they also live in hollow logs or even abandoned buildings. In colder climates, some skunks may sleep in these nests for several weeks of the chilliest season. Each female gives birth to between two and ten young each year.Skunks are opportunistic eaters with a varied diet. They are nocturnal foragers who eat fruit and plants, insects, larvae, worms, eggs, reptiles, small mammals, and even fish. Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.1 / 111 / 11This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. Follow us on Instagram at @natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo.com/yourshot for the latest submissions and news about the community.This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. 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The 12 Types of Skunks (Facts & Info)

by Patricia Greene

These critters will eat anything from mice to bees, skunks are mammals related to weasels, stink badgers, and polecats. While most of the 12 types of skunks are mainly relegated to the Western Hemisphere, there are some types that can be found elsewhere!

All types of skunks have many things in common. For example, they can all emit pungent odors whenever they in any way feel upset. Often, this can help these small animals scare off predators, whether these predators are humans or other animals.

All skunks also tend to be nocturnal animals, meaning they mainly are active at night or when the sun isn’t out. When the sun is out, you can mainly find them sleeping. Many skunks also tend to have the same types of coats: black or dark brown with some type of white stripes (the amount of pattern can vary).

There are many incredibly engaging facts about the 12 different species of skunks, all of which we detail below! Keep reading to learn more about these very interesting creatures!

12 Types of Skunks

The 12 types of skunks are the striped skunk, hooded skunk, western spotted skunk, eastern spotted skunk, southern spotted skunk, pygmy spotted skunk, American hog-nosed skunk, striped hog-nosed skunk, Humboldt’s hog-nosed skunk, Molina’s hog-nosed skunk, Indonesian stink badger, and the Palawan stink badger.

1. Striped Skunk

Scientific Name: Mephitis mephitis

An instantly recognizable skunk, the striped skunk is what most people think of when they think of skunks. With two white stripes running down its back, striped skunks are also known to emit a pungent odor when they are scared, frightened, or in any way upset.

Striped skunks are native to North America, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. In North America, they can be found in various different parts, such as wooded areas, deserts, and even urban cities. However, striped skunks mainly prefer existing in open areas, if they can.

These types of skunks have a diet that consists of insects, small mammals (such as eggs and mice), and leafy greens. Striped skunks can also eat bees and wasps, and some desert skunks have been known to eat scorpions from time to time. Skunks can also eat snakes if necessary, as many skunks are actually immune to snake venom; this allows them to eat poisonous rattlesnakes with no issue!

2. Hooded Skunk

image by ALAN SCHMIERER via Flickr

Scientific Name: Mephitis macroura

Hooded skunks actually look incredibly similar to striped skunks, though careful observation can differentiate the two. Hooded skunks have longer tails, as well as a softer coat, than striped skunks. They can also have white stripes on their backs, though sometimes they do not; stripes can vary.

Hooded skunks are native to North America and Central America. As omnivores, their diet mainly consists of vegetation, though they can also eat small mammals, such as mice, or bird eggs.

All skunks, including the hooded skunk, actually have quite poor eyesight. As a result, the hooded skunk has a very good sense of smell and hearing, which are adaptations that help them survive!

3. Western Spotted Skunk

Western spotted skunk in an exhibit | image by Daderot via Wikimedia Commons

All spotted skunks look very similar, see the image of the eastern spotted skunk.

Scientific Name: Spilogale gracilis

Western spotted skunks look similar to your average skunk, except they tend to have various white stripes on their bodies that run in threes. Therefore, they have much more stripes than a regular striped skunk.

You may also like: 20 Examples of Agile Animals (Pictures)These guys are native to the western United States, northern Mexico, and southwestern Canada. Their preferred habitats can vary depending on what resources are in their given area, but you can find these creatures in wooded areas and in populated places. You can even find some living near canyons!

They are also omnivores, western spotted skunks’ diets consist of insects, mice, lizards, and berries! The western spotted skunk can even search out volatile insects such as bees and wasps and eat them, which is quite interesting!

You may also like: How to keep skunks away – home remedies

4. Eastern Spotted Skunk

source: USFWS Midwest Region

Scientific Name: Spilogale putorius

Nocturnal, slender creatures, eastern spotted skunks have many different stripes that make it look a bit different from your average striped skunk. Native to the eastern part of North America, you can also find these skunks in small parts of eastern Mexico and Canada.

Just like the other skunks on this list, eastern spotted skunks are also omnivores. Throughout the seasons, they’ll eat different types of vegetation and small animals, depending on what is thriving at that time. For example, they’ll eat fruit and birds in the summer, yet mainly eat field mice and insects in the spring.

5. Southern Spotted Skunk

Southern spotted skunk in grassland | image by Heidi Donat via Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 2.0

All spotted skunks look very similar, see the image of the eastern spotted skunk.

Scientific Name: Spilogale angustifrons

Southern spotted skunks, much like other skunks, are black and white animals that have the capability of emitting strong odors in order to scare off potential predators. They can also do this when they are upset. They can even direct their spray to directly attack predators!

Southern spotted skunks are native to Central America, and live off of a mixture of vegetation and other animals to live healthily. In North and Central America, skunks such as the southern spotted skunk are thought to be the main carriers of rabies, which can be harmful and sometimes even deadly to humans and dogs.

6. Pygmy Spotted Skunk

All spotted skunks look very similar, see the image of the eastern spotted skunk. Though pygmy skunks are smaller.

Scientific Name: Spilogale pygmaea

One of the smallest types of skunks, pygmy spotted skunks are tiny creatures that can fit in the size of a human’s palm. Much like other skunks, these animals also have black fur with interesting white stripes. These skunks, however, are much more weasel-like than any other type of skunk.

For the most part, pygmy spotted skunks are native to a very small range of the Pacific coast of Mexico. They prefer to live in habitats that are bushy or wooded, though they don’t like dense forests. These skunks also tend to live off of a diet of vegetations such as leaves and berries, though they also eat small animals and eggs.

7. American Hog-Nosed Skunk

image by Saguaro National Park via Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Scientific Name: Conepatus leuconotus

One of the largest skunks in the world, the American hog-nosed skunk has one huge solid stripe that runs down their black fur. Interestingly, their tail is completely white.

American hog-nosed skunks are native to North America and Central America. Because of the many different territories they live in, these animals can thrive in anything from canyons, to rocky terrain, to forests. As omnivores, their diet includes fruit and other vegetation, as well as small animals that they can catch.

You may also like: 29 North American Big Game Animals (Pictures)

8. Striped Hog-Nosed Skunk

Striped hog-nosed skunk | image by Washington L. S. Vieira via Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 2.0

Scientific Name: Conepatus semistriatus

Striped hog-nosed skunks are very similar to other skunks, as they have one white stripe that can separate into two down the body, though these animals are much smaller than other types of skunks.

These animals will eat a range of insects, vegetation, and small mammals. Some striped hog-nosed skunks have even been seen eating off of animal carcasses. They are found in parts of Mexico, Brazil, Peru, northern Colombia, and Venezuela.

9. Humboldt’s Hog-Nosed Skunk

Humboldt’s hog-nosed skunk in grassland | image bypayayita via Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 2.0

Scientific Name: Conepatus humboldtii

Humboldt’s hog-nosed skunks can be black or reddish-brown color, though their stripes are always white, regardless of the color of their coat. These skunks are native to parts of southern South America. They actually mainly feed on insects, differing from many of the other skunks listed here, but they can also eat fruits and small mammals.

Many skunks, including the Humboldt’s hog-nosed skunk, can eat bees along with many other insects. Interestingly, these skunks can even go attack beehives to eat the bees and insects there! These skunks can also eat wasps!

10. Molina’s Hog-Nosed Skunk

Molina’s hog-nosed skunk in grassland | image by Inao Vásquez via Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 2.0

Scientific Name: Conepatus chinga

Small black and white animals with differing white stripes (depending on each individual animal), Molina’s hog-nosed skunks tend to have all white tails. These creatures are native to South America and prefer to live in either open areas or shrubby forests. As they are omnivores, they can eat insects, snakes, small animals, and vegetation.

Interestingly, many skunks are immune to a snake’s venom. Therefore, these skunks can eat snakes with no problem. Snakes can also sometimes go after skunks, though skunks won’t be harmed by their venom like other animals would be, as they are immune to it!

11. Indonesian Stink Badger

Indonesian stink badger | image by U.Name.Me via Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0

Scientific Name: Mydaus javanensis

Indonesian stink badgers are very interesting animals: they have the ability to emit strong odors like skunks, they have the nose of an anteater, and they have the face of a badger. These creatures tend to have either black or brown fur, though they can also have white tufts or stripes of fur on their body. Every animal is unique in what types of patterns or stripes it will have.

Normally found in southeast Asia, the Indonesian stink badger can typically be found in mountain areas. They are small animals, but they can protect themselves, though they tend to be quite tame around humans (as long as they don’t feel threatened).

12. Palawan Stink Badger

Scientific Name: Mydaus marchei

Native to islands in the Philippines, Palawan stink badgers are very interesting skunks. They have long and pointed noses, stocky bodies, and tend to have dark brown fur. Their fur can also have yellow and brown patches on their body.

Interestingly, not much is known about the Palawan stink badger. These animals are considered to be vulnerable, which means that they are likely to become endangered. However, many scientists believe that these creatures are very similar to Indonesian stink badgers in how they act!

About Patricia GreenePatricia is a wildlife enthusiast that loves traveling and learning about wildlife all over North America and the world. Aside from being writer for Wildlife Informer, she's an avid bird watcher as well as the owner of several pet reptiles. She enjoys visiting national parks and seeing new sights in her free time.

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