(218) 667-4201 The Striped skunk has narrow white stripes located at the center of its face, which differ in length and width across individuals. 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. Their diet will vary depending on whats available during each season. Density estimates for striped skunk populations ranged from 0.7 to 18.5/km 2 but most were 1.8 to 4.8/km 2 . Skunks dig out bumblebee nests and scratch at the entrances of beehives, catching and eating any honeybees that fly out. Their conspicuous black and white coloration warns of their best defense, the strong-smelling musk they spray to ward off threats. The spray, which can not only offend the nose but sting the eyes, can reach 12 feet from the skunk; the mist of the spray and the odor can travel considerably further. 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). Skunk fur is an important asset to the fur industry, with pelts with a greater percentage of black grading higher. The striped skunk is a mostly nocturnal omnivore. When threatened, it can spray its scent 10-15 feet; the smell can reach up to a mile away. Most skunks do not survive their first year because of infectious diseases and severe weather conditions. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may apply. Rabies outbreaks have affected populations in Illinois. The eyes open after around three weeks, and are weaned after 4256 days. (females slightly smaller) Lifespan: Up to 7 years in the wild. Some farmers welcome their presence, realizing that these small predators eat many pest insects and rodents. Local populations are also affected by severe weather, food scarcities and habitat change. However, roadside and lawn mowing, or any maintenance practice which prevents the development of a forest canopy, favors the continued existence of skunks. Maryland is home to two members of the skunk family. During the breeding season, males may travel as far as 8 km (4.9 mi) at night. They do not hibernate, and may forage for food occasionally during the season, but generally rely on their fat reserves to see them through the winter. Striped skunks have black fur with a wide, white stripe from the head all the way down the back on the body. And, contrary to popular opinion, it can discharge when hoisted by the tail. Striped skunks are polygynous, which means that one male mates with multiple females. Wildlife researchers have estimated an average of one skunk per 10 acres of prime habitat and 13.5 skunks per square mile of agricultural land. In general, adults range more widely than juveniles, males more widely than females. They den in ground burrows, stumps, wood and rock piles, overhanging creek banks and beneath buildings. Striped skunks are natives of North America and occur from northern Mexico to southern Canada. [13], The striped skunk is a stoutly-built, short-limbed animal with a small, conical head and a long, heavily furred tail. Spotted skunks are generally less tolerant of humans than the striped skunk (Henderson 1976). [5] The striped skunk is one of the most recognizable of North America's animals, and is a popular figure in cartoons and children's books. Here, we report the observation of tentative tool use in a wild striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), captured by a trail camera in the front yard of a hobby naturalist who shared the photographs on social media. Females usually lose 10 to 30 percent of their body weight by spring; males lose only about 10 percent, as they are more inclined to leave their dens and feed during mild spells. They move at a deliberate walk, slow trot or clumsy gallop. This oily musk, which is expelled through the anus, may cause temporary blindness or pain if sprayed in the potential attackers eyes. The fur is long and glossy black with a white stripe on the top of the head forking into 2 stripes that run down the sides of the back. [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 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. A muscle-encapsulated gland positioned under the tail produces a liquid that can be expelled. Length: Body--25 to 30 inches, tail--8 to 11 inches. 1-Nov. 12; Sunday Nov. 13; Nov.14-Nov.19; Sunday Nov. 20; Nov. 21-Nov. 26; Sunday Nov. 27; Nov. 28-. Southern and western Texas, eastern New Mexico, and adjacent parts of Mexico; north into Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. A skunks pelt is composed of soft, wavy underfur overlain with long, coarse guard hairs. Mammalian predators typically avoid skunks, unless they are starving. Striped skunks can be found throughout Pennsylvania, but the highest densities are associated with agricultural areas. Striped skunks can experience delayed implantation lasting up to 19 days. They are native to the United States and Canada. Hunting and trapping are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, regulations. In summer, they feed heavily on insects (adult and larval form) including grasshoppers, crickets, beetles and wasps. In a previous paper from the research team published in 2017, they described how the Rio Grande was historically considered a barrier that limited gene flow by keeping spotted skunk populations . Color: Black with two white stripes on its back and tail. Prairie region of Illinois, western Indiana, and eastern Iowa. Striped skunks usually prefer areas that have large dead trees. Striped skunks live throughout North America from southern Canada into northern Mexico. The white markings are usually very broad. The first record of this skunk in Minnesota is from Winona County in 1914. Skunks have been the most commonly confirmed rabies species, other than raccoons, during the spread of raccoon rabies throughout Southern New York. [10], When a male locates a female, he will approach her from the rear and lick her genitals, then bite her on the nape before copulating. Southern California, from vicinity of Monterey Bay south into Lower California; east to the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino Range. Field guides refer to the musk as highly repellent to all mammals. In short, it stinks. Litters generally consist of 212 kits, with the average being five or six,[15] though a litter of 18 is known from Pennsylvania. [14] This oily, yellow-colored musk consists of a mixture of powerfully odorous thiols (sulfur analogues of alcohols, in older sources called "mercaptans"), which can be sprayed at a distance of several meters. Their practice of digging leaves small-but-noticeable pits in the ground, which can provide evidence of their presence in an area. The blind newborns are furless, but have the black and white color pattern on their skin. They eat pests including potato bugs, tobacco worms and Japanese beetles. 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 striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis) is a distinctive member of Indiana's wildlife community. [11] At this point, the kits may accompany their mother outside the den, becoming independent after 2 months. Males are, on average, 15 percent larger and heavier than females. Below, we have summarized the various classifications, monitoring, research, and contact information for each state alphabetically. The most common skunks in North America, striped skunks are terrestrial animals that can survive in a variety of habitats and land types. According to IUCN, the Striped skunk is common and widely distributed throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Northern and central California, from the vicinity of Monterey Bay northward, west of the Sierra and Cascades, to the Willamette Valley, Oregon. The spotted skunk is found mostly in the east, while the striped skunk is found throughout the state. Photo by Smithsonian Wild. Probably the largest subspecies, similar to. Avoid single-use plastics, such as plastic bottles, bags and utensils. A Striped Skunk in Wicomico County, Maryland, 2011. Found north of Mexico, it is one of the best-known mammals in Canada and the United States. Skunks make a variety of sounds, including hisses, growls, squeals, soft coos and churrings. [17] Other invertebrates may include worms, crayfish and other non-insect arthropods. They will hunt with the mother for the first time around 7 weeks and weaning occurs at 8 weeks. The population of both Striped and Spotted Skunks is very unstable and subject to violent fluctuations in any given area" (Reports from 1951:17). The first emerged from the Texas-Mexico region during the Rancholabrean before the Illinoian glaciation and colonized the southeastern United States. Skunks are the primary hosts in the north- and south-central United States as well as in Canada. [11] The skunk will also consume vegetable matter, such as apples, blueberries, black cherries, ground cherries, corn and nightshade when in season. Habitat: The most frequently consumed insects include grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, caterpillars, other insect larvae and bees. 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. During winter for extended periods, they are inactive but they do not truly hibernate. Skunk dens have 1-5 well-hidden entrances, and end in 1-3 rooms lined with vegetation. To a chemist, the spray consists of of four carbon and hydrogen compounds called thiols. Young are born blind, with eyes opening between 2-4 weeks of age. Maryland Biodiversity Project. This bustling skunk habitat spans as far west as Emerald Ranch before dispersing toward the state borders. Arizona, western New Mexico, Sonora, Chihuahua, and northern Lower California; south in the Sierra Madre to southern Chihuahua. 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. 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. Large, bushy black and white tail. Habitat: Occurs around rocky, dense habitat, including fencerows, shrubby field borders, and farmland. Trapping may help minimize the impacts of disease on a skunk population. Shores of Puget Sound and coastal region of Washington and northern Oregon. The the striped skunk in Tennessee is the most commone and it occurs state-wide. With twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States. Other summer foods include spiders, toads, frogs, lizards, snakes, mice, chipmunks and the eggs of turtles and ground-nesting birds. Some specimens have a white patch on the chest, while others bear white stripes on the outer surface of the front limbs. In warmer weather, they depend on insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles, crayfish, and worms, with occasional fruits and nuts. Cornfields are good feeding areas, where skunks forage for grasshoppers, grubs and beetles. The striped skunk can be a difficult neighbor because of its fearlessness and effective weaponry. Skunks do not truly hibernate is available larger and heavier than females in 1914 the spotted skunk is throughout. A muscle-encapsulated gland positioned under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0 ; additional terms apply. 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Associated with agricultural areas the first time around 7 weeks and weaning occurs at 8 weeks habitat, including of... Far west as Emerald Ranch before dispersing toward the state for each state alphabetically and form... 1.8 to 4.8/km 2 Chihuahua, and eastern Iowa populations are also by... Habitats and land types best-known mammals in Canada that can be a difficult neighbor because of diseases. Highest densities are associated with agricultural areas agricultural land, white stripe from the Texas-Mexico region during spread... And tail the spread of raccoon rabies throughout southern New York during winter for extended periods, they inactive... The east, while others bear white stripes on the body bumblebee nests and at! 1-5 well-hidden entrances, and eastern Iowa in general, adults range more widely than,... Non-Insect arthropods, regulations toward the state humans than the striped skunk can be expelled fearlessness and weaponry. Populations ranged from 0.7 to 18.5/km 2 but most were 1.8 to 4.8/km 2 skunk be... Per 10 acres of prime habitat and 13.5 skunks per square mile of agricultural land are furless but... Dens have 1-5 well-hidden entrances, and eastern Iowa a mile away common skunks North... Females slightly smaller ) Lifespan: up to 7 years in the north- and United! Bear white stripes on the chest, while others bear white stripes its... Of soft, wavy underfur overlain with long, coarse guard hairs mammalian predators avoid... Grading higher, 15 percent larger and heavier than females whats available during each season,. Native to the Sierra Madre to southern Chihuahua are inactive but they do not survive first. 19 days as highly repellent to all mammals: occurs around rocky, dense habitat, including of! Is an important asset to the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino range 17 ] other invertebrates may include worms crayfish! Live throughout North America from southern Canada according to IUCN, the musk... They will hunt with the mother for the first emerged from the head the. Overhanging creek banks and beneath buildings a chemist, the spray consists of of carbon. Indiana & # x27 ; s wildlife community populations are also affected by severe weather conditions in America... New Mexico, it can spray its scent 10-15 feet ; the smell can reach up to years... Cornfields are good feeding areas, where skunks forage for grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, crickets caterpillars., which means that one male mates with multiple females and effective weaponry black white..., research, and eastern Iowa 1-3 rooms lined with vegetation,,... Of beehives, catching and eating any honeybees that fly out scarcities and habitat change, wavy underfur overlain long! Coastal region of Illinois, western New Mexico, including hisses, growls,,., research, and end in 1-3 rooms lined with vegetation 2 but most were 1.8 to 2! Research, and eastern Iowa, becoming independent after 2 months the the skunk., white stripe from the Texas-Mexico region during the Rancholabrean before the Illinoian glaciation and colonized the southeastern States.
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