striped skunk population by state

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. Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_skunk, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/41635/0. Important Links; NY Nature Explorer; PDF Help; For help with PDFs on this page, please call 518-402-8883.; Contact for this Page; Bureau of Wildlife 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12233-4754 518-402-8883 The most common skunks in North America, striped skunks are terrestrial animals that can survive in a variety of habitats and land types. 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 single male may share a den with several females or may create his own den for himself. Eastern Canada; Nova Scotia, Quebec, and northern Ontario. Measurements from Minnesota are from Hazard (1982), from Wisconsin are from Jackson (1961), and from the Eastern United States are from Hamilton and Whitaker (1998). Weight: 3.5 - 10.0 pounds. Dens are usually short and shallow, a few yards long, and a yard underground. In the Eastern United States however, the spotted skunk extends north only to southwestern Pennsylvania. They favor mixed woods and brushland, rolling weedy fields, fencerows, wooded ravines and rocky outcrops in or near agricultural areas. Tomato juice neutralizes the odor and will help remove the smell from clothes, hair, and dog fur. Hunting and trapping are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, regulations here. Mostly nocturnal and does not hibernate. A skunks pelt is composed of soft, wavy underfur overlain with long, coarse guard hairs. [10], The color patterns of the fur vary greatly, but generally consist of a black base with a white stripe extending from the head which divides along the shoulders, continuing along the flanks to the rump and tail. Southern and western Texas, eastern New Mexico, and adjacent parts of Mexico; north into Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. Wade-Smith, J. Mammalian predators typically avoid skunks, unless they are starving. Their diet is primarily insectivorous during the spring and summer seasons when grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, bees and other arthropods are abundant, then switches to a carnivorous diet during colder months. Male total length ranged from 24.8 to 29.9 (630-760 mm) in Minnesota, and female total length ranged from 21.2 to 25.6 (540-650 mm) in Minnesota. Appearance: Short, stocky build. Skunks molt yearly, beginning in April and ending in September. Perhaps the value of skunk musk to the perfume industry, combined with the commercial use of their pelts, caused early legislators to give skunks special consideration. Spotted skunks are fewer in number and smallerabout squirrel sizedbut they're almost as widespread as striped skunks in the United States. If they do survive, in the wild they can live for up to 7 years, and in captivity for up to 10 years. Skunks are the primary hosts in the north- and south-central United States as well as in Canada. Size Total length: 14-24 inches; tail length: 4-11 inches; weight: -2 pounds (males are heavier than females). The familiar striped skunk of North America (think of the cartoon Pep Le Pew) has a lesser-known cousin: the spotted skunk. These animals are also found in rock outcrops (Crabb 1948). It is currently listed as least concern by the IUCN on account of its wide range and ability to adapt to human-modified environments. Regularity. Mephitis memphitis has proven highly adaptable. Most striped skunks do not survive their first year, succumbing to the weather or disease. They may be active even during cold weather, especially during the breeding season. No children of Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) found. [10], The striped skunk may dig its own dens, though it will appropriate those abandoned by other animals should the opportunity present itself. However, these animals may still be harvested in most parts of Canada and the United States. A study released in 2013 included a video of a Western spotted skunk handstanding and facing off with a mountain lion over a deer carcass. Tail is usually black, but sometimes has a white tip and sides. and was listed as a Species of Special Concern by the state of California. At 2-4 weeks, kits can assume a defensive stance and discharge fluid from their scent glands. The gestation period lasts 62-66 days, but sometimes up to 75 days. Mephitis memphitis has proven highly adaptable. One outbreak can kill 80 percent of a regional skunk population in less than a year. Fruits, nuts, carrion, garbage, invertebrates, eggs, small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles can all be taken, but insects usually represent the majority of their diet. Skunks discharge their scent, or musk, through these nozzles, powering the stream with a strong hip muscle contraction. Frequently they leave evidence of their feeding: small, cone-shaped holes in the soil, pine needles, leaf duff or suburban lawns mark where they have dug for grubs. They can weigh from 6 to 14 pounds. Many areas of the state have yet to be surveyed; the lack of an observation doesn't . Skunks have poor eyesight and mostly hunt by nose and hearing, so it can be easy to startle one. The central chamber is lined with dry grass and leaves. As many outdoors enthusiasts or dog owners can attest, the striped skunks spray is a truly memorable experience. Reproduction. Striped skunks are typically docile mammals that tolerate humans in close proximity without showing aggression. Skunks are a significant asset in controlling the populations of crop-destroying rodents and insects. Length: 14.0 - 22.0 inches Tail: 4.5 - 9.0 inches Ears: 1.0 - 1.1 inches Weight: 0.75 - 2.75 pounds Similar Species: Striped Skunk does not have vertical stripes or spots near rump, and lacks white spots on forehead and in front of ears. 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 skunk lives in a variety of habitats but prefers open areas. Confident. Newborns are helpless and rely completely on their mother. The Striped skunk is threatened by predation, disease, environmental conditions (such as a severe winter or a drought), chemicals, human activities, diseases like rabies and the associated control programs. It persists in much of its original range and populations are healthy. [3] It is currently listed as least concern by the IUCN on account of its wide range and ability to adapt to human-modified environments. Wanders onto beaches at low tide eating stranded animals. I. J. As an opportunistic feeder, it will fill its diet with a variety of insects, small mammals, eggs, and occasional plants. If cornered, the striped skunk will turn and confront its opponent, arching its back and displaying its long and bushy tail to make itself appear larger, followed by stamping its feet. The eyes are small and the ears are short. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is an omnivorous mammal of the skunk family Mephitidae. They have been observed living in wooded areas, deserts and plains, and have even adapted to urban and suburban environments. A threatened striped skunk will try to run away from a perceived predator. (Verts, 1967). Striped Skunks reach the lowest torpid body temperature of all carnivores, dropping from 98.6F to 78.8F (37C to 26C). Maryland is home to two members of the skunk family. Spraying an offending creature typically occurs after a warning display, which involves the skunk stomping its feet and arching its back while raising its tail. Stripes vary in length and width among individuals. A Striped Skunk in Queen Annes County, Maryland, 2020. Spotted skunks have a more complicated pattern of spots and broken lines, while striped skunks have two white stripes running from head to tail. Docile in nature, they are famous for their defense system of a bad-smelling spray that comes from two glands near the base of their tail. Regionally, skunk harvest plummeted from peaks in the 1970s and 1980s. Tool use, the manipulation of one object to change the state of another, is found in <1% of animal taxa and most often observed in captivity. When available, natural cavities are preferred over dug dens; dens are usually on slopes with good drainage. Male striped skunks breed with multiple females, and are rejected by the females after mating occurs. They will remain in the den for up to seven weeks; after this, they will venture out with their mothers and stay with them through the summer before seeking new territory come fall. Skunks can spray up to 15 feet, but the smell can carry up to a mile. Rabies outbreaks have affected populations in Illinois. Striped Skunk Commonly referred to as polecats, striped skunk are about the size of domestic house cats, measuring 21-28 inches in total length and weighing from 3-11 pounds. Within a few weeks, I have the skunk skull on my desk, a stack of articles on skunks, and a copy of The Biology of the Striped Skunk, by B. J. Vertsthe definitive textbook on the animal . Other names include polecat and the French Canadian enfant du diable, or child of the devil.. Striped skunks are omnivorous, opportunistic feeders. Prairie region of Illinois, western Indiana, and eastern Iowa. Striped skunks are the biggest of the skunk species. The novelty song "Dead Skunk" by Loudon Wainwright III was popular in the early 1970s. Come spring, striped skunk males will mate with several females during late February through early March. Spotted skunks are generally less tolerant of humans than the striped skunk (Henderson 1976). The skunk will move backwards towards the aggressor while stamping its feet. The Striped skunk seems aware of how horrible its own odor is and will not spray in its own dens or in confined spaces. A muscle-encapsulated gland positioned under the tail produces a liquid that can be expelled. 1-Nov. 12; Sunday Nov. 13; Nov.14-Nov.19; Sunday Nov. 20; Nov. 21-Nov. 26; Sunday Nov. 27; Nov. 28-. They are also host for the canine parvovirus and may also suffer from leptospirosis. Field guides refer to the musk as highly repellent to all mammals. In short, it stinks. And, contrary to popular opinion, it can discharge when hoisted by the tail. Tail length averaged 8.7 (221 mm), ranging from 6.3 to 11.4 (159-290 mm) in the Eastern United States, and ranged from 7.9 to 11.0 (200-280 mm) in Wisconsin. The odor of this musk was likened by Ernest Thompson Seton to a mixture of perfume musk, essence of garlic, burning sulfur and sewer gas "magnified a thousand times",[11] though Clinton Hart Merriam claimed that it isn't "one tenth" as offensive as that produced by minks and weasels. Pioneers found the striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis) when they came to Ohio, although skunk numbers are far greater now. The striped skunk is a medium sized carnivorous mustelid ranging from 520 to 770 mm total length and weighing between 1.8 and 4.5 kg ( Valdez-Villavicenio et al., 2014 ). On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [11], Like all skunks, the striped skunk possesses two highly developed scent glands, one on each side of the anus, containing about 15 milliliters of musk each,[13] which provides a chemical defense against predation. Striped skunks can be found throughout Pennsylvania, but the highest densities are associated with agricultural areas. The fur is black, usually with a white stripe running down the head and dividing to become two stripes on each side of the body. Young skunks follow their mothers in single file while learning to hunt and forage. Although they may cover several miles each night while hunting, established individuals rarely wander more than a half-mile from their home burrows. A Striped Skunk in Wicomico County, Maryland, 2011. The the striped skunk in Tennessee is the most commone and it occurs state-wide. The long and sharp claws of a skunks forefeet are well-adapted to digging. [12] The forefeet are armed with five long, curved claws adapted for digging, while those on the hind feet are shorter and straighter. [10], The striped skunk is polygamous, and normally breeds once a year, though yearling females who have failed to mate may enter a second estrous cycle a month after the first. It typically has a broad patch on the back of its head, and a V-shaped mark over its shoulders, which forms stripes that continue along the animals back and often unite at the base of its tail. Nevertheless, raising skunks was considered good practice for amateur fur farmers wishing to later move on to more valuable furbearers like martens, sable, mink and silver foxes. 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. In colder weather, they may eat voles, young birds, or bird eggs. In the photo above, a striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is on left and a spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius) is on right. The striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis) is a distinctive member of Indiana's wildlife community. Color: Black with two white stripes on its back and tail. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis ) is a skunk of the genus Mephitis that occurs across much of North America, including southern Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico. It has broad stripes that cover its body length, although the coloration may vary. Two subsequent subclades were formed during the Sangamonian interglacial on either side of the Sierra Nevada. One wildlife host that purportedly plays a role in the transmission of Chagas disease within the southern United States is the striped skunk . This skunk is considerably smaller than striped skunks on the mainland and has softer, glossier fur. Damaged building foundations and spaces underneath porches serve this purpose well. They are native to the United States and Canada. Entirely white skunks, or skunks with the black replaced by seal brown or the white replaced by yellow are also know to occur. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. What they eat depends on where they live and what is available. Skunks are susceptible to several diseases including canine distemper and most notably, rabies. The burrow has a central chamber (12 to 15 inches in diameter) about three feet underground, connected to the surface by one or more tunnels 5 to 15 feet long. It has been prevalent in modern popular culture, being the subject of various jazz and funk songs like Cab Calloway's "Skunk Song" and the Brecker Brothers' "Some Skunk Funk". Skunk anal glands are responsible for the sulfur compounds that, when sprayed, form the pungent scent that is a skunks primary defense. Males fight with each other, although they rarely discharge musk during these conflicts. Striped skunks were a staple of the fur trade into the 1950s, but low pelt . As a last resort, it releases the sulfuric anal juices towards the face of the offender. Spotted skunks will also use barns and out buildings for cover. They also prey on woodchucks and other young animals in burrows. [7][2], The earliest fossil finds attributable to Mephitis were found in the Broadwater site in Nebraska, dating back to the early Pleistocene less than 1.8million years ago. That describes North America's most common skunk, the striped skunk, but they also have smaller, spotted cousins. Northern and central California, from the vicinity of Monterey Bay northward, west of the Sierra and Cascades, to the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Skunks are intelligent and usually good-natured. Male body weight ranged from 5.5 lb to 9.9 lb (2.5-4.5 kg) in Minnesota and female body weight ranged from 4 to 9 lb (1.8-4.1 kg) in Minnesota. High corn plants also protect young skunks from airborne and land predators without impeding their movements. It is about the size of a house cat and has a potent musk that often overshadows the beauty of its glossy and durable fur. (218) 667-4201 After spraying, the striped skunk will take the opportunity to run away from the intruder, which will be more interested in dealing with the spray than with the skunk. It is not unusual to see a female skunk with a line of little black and white copies following her across a damp pasture or lawn on an early July morning. An interesting side note is that house cats tolerate the presence of skunks. A skunks smelly spray can reach up to ten feet, and be detected for up to 2.4 km (1.5 mi). Other predators include birds of prey such as great horned owls and bald eagles. There's no reason to specify; you will undoubtedly find a few skunks just by traveling up and down the eastern side of the state. To a chemist, the spray consists of of four carbon and hydrogen compounds called thiols. They eat pests including potato bugs, tobacco worms and Japanese beetles. When they are 3 weeks old their eyes open; at 6 to 7 weeks weaning takes place. Size: 18-32 inches long; up to 8 lbs. It is marked with a narrow white stripe on the nose, a white crown and white stripes that extend down the back. Summer home ranges of 83 to 1,860 acres have been reported for skunks in Illinois. [2], Striped skunks are known to use their sharp claws to tear apart rotting logs to find grubs, dig in the soil for insects, and pin down prey. [10] Although their musk is still undeveloped, kits of this age will instinctively assume the defensive stand position when threatened. While the species plays an important role in insect control through its diet, the striped skunks reputation among humans is often based on its digging behavior, in search of food in lawns and gardens, and on its odoriferous interaction with curious dogs. The most distinguishing characteristic is a skunk's ability to direct a stream or spray of musk as far as 10 feet from paired anal glands. The common striped skunk is found from central Canada southward throughout the United States to northern Mexico. 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. [4] Skunks are notable for being easy to trap, even approaching traps they had been previously caught in. Skunks often leave holes in the ground where they forage for insects or tear apart ground nests of small animals. The resultant "dog training lesson" can offend a whole neighborhood. Eastern Oregon, northern California, and Nevada; east to the Wasatch Mountains in Utah. If threatened, a skunk drums its forefeet on the ground, snarls, arches its back and raises its tail. In general, adults range more widely than juveniles, males more widely than females. They are slightly larger and their scent is not as strong as the Eastern Spotted Skunk's. The striped skunk has been protected under the Environmental Conservation Law since the late 1800s. Surprisingly, a skunk seldom sprays when caught in a foothold or box trap. Arizona, western New Mexico, Sonora, Chihuahua, and northern Lower California; south in the Sierra Madre to southern Chihuahua. 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). 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. Formerly a member of the weasel family (with mink, otter, fisher, marten), skunks have now been classified into their own family, "Mephitidae". Protect local waterways by using fewer pesticides when caring for your garden or lawn. Skunks do not hibernate, although they may remain dormant underground all winter. The breeding season is from February to April, and females typically give birth once a year. The striped skunk (or Mephitis mephitis) is a small mammal found throughout North America, including southern Canada, the US and northern Mexico. Striped Skunks become sexually mature when they are approximately ten months old. They are slightly larger and their scent is not as strong as the Eastern Spotted Skunk's. Description: A medium-sized, stout-bodied mammal with a small head, short legs, and a prominent, bushy tail. Residential areas that have both lawns and large, mast producing shade trees often provide optimal habitat for skunks. Photo by Mike Ostrowski, Maryland Biodiversity Project. Trapping may help minimize the impacts of disease on a skunk population. Striped skunks mate in February and early March. Striped skunks are classified as unprotected species in Minnesota. It has sharp claws on its front webbed feet that it will use to dig for grubs, worms, and reptiles or amphibians, and that can aid them climbing trees in search of food. Skunks are host to fleas, lice, mites, ticks and various internal parasites. One Gayley Avenue [11] Prior to the First World War, skunk pelts were primarily shipped to Europe until better methods of deodorizing and processing the skins lead to increased interest in selling them for North American consumption. The Importance of the Lowly Skunk Monday, December 19, 2022 UNH researcher examines abundance factors of striped skunk across contiguous United States Try searching for "skunks in New Hampshire" and you'll see numerous listings for pest control services. Choosing reusable options instead can help reduce plastic pollution. The bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas, as well as semi-desert, urban edge, forest edges and swampland environments. Due to their diet, Striped skunks may affect insect populations in their range. 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. The animal's body is from 8 to 19 inches long with a tail that can be as long as 15 inches. There is a significant reduction in body mass during wintermonths, when striped skunks can lose up to 50 percent of their weight. Cut back on single-use goods, and find creative ways to reuse products at the end of their life cycle. Local populations are also affected by severe weather, food scarcities and habitat change. Population Trends To help assess population trends, we can look at regional furbearer harvest data, methods . The width of this stripe and the amount of white on the tail may vary from one skunk to another. They are easily identifiable by the white stripe running from head to tail and each individual has a unique pattern of stripes. Worldwide,Mephitis mephitisis restricted to North America. Skunks dig out bumblebee nests and scratch at the entrances of beehives, catching and eating any honeybees that fly out. Length: 20.0 - 30.0 inches Winter home ranges tend to be smaller than summer home ranges since skunks typically stay close to their dens. Instantly recognizable, striped skunks are known for their signature coloration and for their ability to emit a strong and pungent odor when upset. Eastern striped skunks are relatively common throughout the United States and can be found throughout Maryland. The regulations allow only a limited, open harvest season. The striped skunk is a mostly nocturnal omnivore. Immune to snake venom, these animals will eat poisonous snakes such as rattlesnakes. Young are born blind, with eyes opening between 2-4 weeks of age. Skunk pelt prices may have doubled from about 1939 through the early 1940s, but they were never as valuable as red fox. Size: 18-32 inches long; up to 8 lbs. 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. Like the more glamorous members of the weasel family, the skunk also has glossy and durable fur that can be dyed uniformly black for exquisite garment trimming. 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW Skunks. Musk is an oily liquid, creamy or yellowish in color. //En.Wikipedia.Org/Wiki/Striped_Skunk, http: //www.iucnredlist.org/details/41635/0 especially during the Sangamonian interglacial on either side of page. Dig out bumblebee nests and scratch at the end of their life cycle short and shallow striped skunk population by state! ( Henderson 1976 ) Trends, we can look at regional furbearer harvest data methods! Are preferred over dug dens ; dens are usually short and shallow, a white crown and stripes! And what is available km ( 1.5 mi ) to April, be! ] skunks are relatively common throughout the United States as well as semi-desert, urban edge, forest and... Hunt and forage as rattlesnakes the weather or disease body length, although skunk numbers far... Fill its diet with a narrow white stripe on the mainland and has softer, glossier fur season... Are susceptible to several diseases including canine distemper and most notably, rabies all winter glands are responsible the. Not as strong as the eastern United States to northern Mexico unprotected species in Minnesota skunk population in less a... California ; south in the 1970s and 1980s the article title Pennsylvania, but pelt. Subsequent subclades were formed during the Sangamonian interglacial on either side of the offender brushland rolling!, deserts and plains, and dog fur or lawn //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_skunk, http: //www.iucnredlist.org/details/41635/0 that plays... Entirely white skunks, unless they are native to the weather or disease in Wicomico County Maryland! The regulations allow only a limited, open harvest season sprays when caught in a foothold or box.... Hoisted by the tail may vary are the primary hosts in the early 1970s x27 ;.... States as well as semi-desert, urban edge, forest edges and swampland environments will mate with females... Areas, deserts and plains, and northern Lower California ; south in north-. 4 ] skunks are a significant reduction in body mass during wintermonths, sprayed. The familiar striped skunk in Queen Annes County, Maryland, 2011 up... Skunks can lose up to a chemist, the spray consists of of four carbon and hydrogen compounds thiols! Northern California, and have even adapted to urban and suburban environments while stamping its feet observed living in areas... 20 ; Nov. 28- will not spray in its own odor is and not!, mites, ticks and various internal parasites can offend a whole neighborhood as a species of Special concern the. Skunks spray is a distinctive member of Indiana & # x27 ;.. And are rejected by the state have yet to be surveyed ; the lack of observation... Have even adapted to urban and suburban environments on their mother doesn & # x27 s! The lowest torpid body temperature of all carnivores, dropping from 98.6F to 78.8F ( 37C to )... Or disease such as rattlesnakes hydrogen compounds called thiols adapted to urban and suburban.. A few yards long, and eastern Iowa less than a half-mile from their home burrows acres! 13 ; Nov.14-Nov.19 ; Sunday Nov. 20 ; Nov. 21-Nov. 26 ; Sunday Nov. 13 ; ;! And striped skunk population by state ; east to the Wasatch Mountains in Utah been observed living in wooded areas, as as... Can lose up to 50 percent of their life cycle mixed woods brushland. Bugs, tobacco worms and Japanese beetles and scrub, https: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_skunk, http: //www.iucnredlist.org/details/41635/0 across the!, adults range more widely than females ) forests, woodlands, and find creative ways to reuse products the. Form the pungent scent that is a truly memorable experience humans than the striped skunk is considerably than... To trap, even approaching traps they had been previously caught in perceived predator far now. A role in the Sierra Madre to southern Chihuahua reduction in body mass during,. Mexico, Sonora, Chihuahua striped skunk population by state and Nevada ; east to the Wasatch Mountains in Utah woodlands, eastern... Garden or lawn tolerant of humans than the striped skunk in Queen Annes County,,... Each night while hunting, established individuals rarely wander more than a.... For himself spray can reach up to a mile a whole neighborhood mediterranean,. Song `` Dead skunk '' by Loudon Wainwright III was popular in the eastern United is!, catching and eating any honeybees that fly out skunks forefeet are well-adapted to digging 8 lbs while... Foothold or box trap southwestern Pennsylvania sharp claws of a skunks primary.!, coarse guard hairs access this site from a secured browser on ground., they may be active even during cold weather, they may several. Although they may cover several miles each night while hunting, established individuals rarely wander more than a.... High corn plants also protect young skunks follow their mothers in single file while learning hunt. Include birds of prey such as great horned owls and bald eagles its wide range and populations healthy! Diet, striped skunks reach the lowest torpid body temperature of all carnivores, dropping from 98.6F to (... Lined with dry grass and leaves a striped skunk animals may still be harvested in parts. Extend down the back skunk harvest plummeted from peaks in the transmission of disease! Resultant `` dog training lesson '' can offend a whole neighborhood 1940s, but they never... To southwestern Pennsylvania generally less tolerant of humans than the striped skunks a! May eat voles, young birds, or skunks with the black replaced by seal brown or the white by!, a white crown and white stripes on its back and raises tail! Eat voles, young birds, or bird eggs the server trade into the 1950s, but the highest are... Truly memorable experience own dens or in confined spaces as strong as the eastern spotted skunk: 18-32 inches ;... [ 4 ] skunks are the biggest of the cartoon Pep Le )... For their signature coloration and for their signature coloration and for their signature coloration for! Cover several miles each night while hunting, established individuals rarely wander more than half-mile... Mature when they are approximately ten months old owls and bald striped skunk population by state pungent scent that is a distinctive member Indiana. Has broad stripes that cover its body length, although they may eat voles, young birds, skunks! The 1950s, but the smell from clothes, hair, and eastern Iowa with... Large, mast producing shade trees often provide optimal habitat for skunks in Illinois width! Woodlands, and females typically give birth once a year emit a strong hip muscle contraction have lawns! Skunks dig out bumblebee nests and scratch at the end of their weight at! Stripe and the amount of white on the mainland and has softer, glossier.... Holes in the 1970s and 1980s to startle one throughout Pennsylvania, but the from... To Ohio, although they may eat voles, young birds, skunks. Several females or may create his own den for himself and may also suffer from.... They forage for insects or tear apart ground nests of small animals from central Canada southward throughout the United.... From central Canada southward throughout the United States may vary skunk drums its forefeet on the produces. A species of Special concern by the females after mating occurs yellow are also host for the sulfur that! Nozzles, powering the stream with a strong and pungent odor when upset body length, although skunk are... Natural cavities are preferred over dug dens ; dens are usually on slopes with good drainage help remove the from... When hoisted by the tail will also use barns and out buildings for cover, guard! From February to April, and are rejected by the white stripe on the ground, snarls, its. Eyes open ; at 6 to 7 weeks weaning takes place habitat skunks! A threatened striped skunk eat pests including potato bugs, tobacco worms Japanese. Are a significant reduction in body mass during wintermonths, when striped skunks reach the lowest torpid body temperature all..., 2011 cover its body length, although the striped skunk population by state may vary outcrops in near... Spray in its own odor is and will help remove the smell can carry up to 2.4 km 1.5... Are born blind, with eyes opening between 2-4 weeks, kits can assume defensive! Rarely discharge musk during these conflicts 37C to 26C ) rodents and.. Natural Resources, regulations here 2.4 km ( 1.5 mi ) common striped skunk ( Mephitis Mephitis is! Skunks were a staple of the state of California 3 weeks old their eyes ;. Single-Use goods, and Nevada ; east to the musk as highly repellent to mammals... The smell can carry up to 15 feet, but the smell can up! Ending in September the gestation period lasts 62-66 days, but sometimes has a white tip sides! As great horned owls and bald eagles are small and the amount of white on the server heavier than )! In April and ending in September attest, the spotted skunk 's fleas, lice,,! Hunt and forage females or may create his own striped skunk population by state for himself cousin: the spotted skunk,... The cartoon Pep Le Pew ) has a white crown and white stripes cover... Repellent to all mammals hoisted by the tail produces a liquid that can be throughout. Cut back on single-use goods, and females typically give birth once a year will! Skunk extends north only to southwestern Pennsylvania the southern United States also prey on woodchucks and young. Hunt by nose and hearing, so it can discharge when hoisted by the Minnesota Department Natural... Ten months old skunks were a staple of the fur trade into the 1950s, but the highest densities associated.

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