Striped skunk is ideally suited for this purpose because the white hairs of the pelt become a uniform, glossy black when dyed. Confident. Alternatively, while the striped skunk is not likely to try to climb a tree, it can climb mesh fences fairly easily. May stretch the length of the back. Pelts of these animals were valuable during the first part of the 20th century in the fur trade, but in the 1950s and 1960s their value declined dramatically as fashions moved from long-haired furs, and therefore the number of skunks also decreased. Other mortality factors are diseases such as pneumonia, distemper, pulmonary aspergillosis, tularemia, brucellosis and rabies; highway kills, starvation and trapping. [20] While not adapted for chasing fleet-footed prey, at least one specimen was observed pursuing gray cottontails into their burrows. They prefer underground dens in colder winter climates. Below, we have summarized the various classifications, monitoring, research, and contact information for each state alphabetically. Its body is often mostly black, with white occurring in a narrow blaze up the middle of its forehead. 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. [4] Despite being easy to breed and manage, skunk farming was not overly profitable, as the relatively low price of the pelts did not compensate for the costs in maintaining them. 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. Striped skunks are solitary, typically docile animals. Rabies outbreaks have affected populations in Illinois. Corn and nightshade fruits round out the diet of striped skunks, although vegetation such as this comprises only ten to 20 percent of their diet. Come spring, striped skunk males will mate with several females during late February through early March. Adults grow to be about 47 to 82 cm (about 18 to 32 inches) long and may weigh up to 6.3 kg (13 pounds). Females give birth in May, often in woodchuck burrows, to an average litter of six. In some cases, a secondary breeding period will occur in May in the event that the first litter was lost, or pseudopregnacny occurs. While the mammals have adapted to a wide range of environments, they prefer habitat with a variety of woodlands and open fields, which means they can also be found in both rural and suburban settings. Local populations are also affected by severe weather, food scarcities and habitat change. The striped skunk is an interesting component of New York's wildlife assortment. They develop quickly. Some populations, particularly in northwestern Illinois, prefer cultivated areas over uncultivated ones.[. Large, bushy black and white tail. Eastern striped skunks are relatively common throughout the United States and can be found throughout Maryland. [11] American zoologist Clinton Hart Merriam described skunk meat as white, tender, sweet and more delicate than chicken. Scientists still have a lot to learn about spotted skunks, starting with how many kinds of them even existover the years, the number of . The skunk lives in a variety of habitats but prefers open areas. What they eat depends on where they live and what is available. They typically breed in the later winter or early spring, giving birth to a single litter of 1 - 6 young born in May or June. The striped skunk is actually a very successful species, with a range that occupies a large portion of North America, including southern Canada, northern Mexico, and most of the United States. Residential areas that have both lawns and large, mast producing shade trees often provide optimal habitat for skunks. The skunk will move backwards towards the aggressor while stamping its feet. They prefer open areas, with abundant populations observed on agricultural lands. 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). 2. [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. At birth, striped skunks weigh less than an ounce. Rosatte, R. & Lawson, S. (2003). 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. A white triangle can be seen on their face starting at the forehead and pointing down like an arrowhead to their nose. Written by Jason Dahl, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student. Throughout the winter, they have been observed eating small mammals and ground-nesting hatchlings and eggs, and hunting amphibians, reptiles and fish. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today remain stable. Their conspicuous black and white coloration warns of their best defense, the strong-smelling musk they spray to ward off threats. The bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas, as well as semi-desert, urban edge, forest edges and swampland environments. Regional records for the eastern spotted skunk suggest that this species extended its range northward into Minnesota in the early 1900s. Striped skunks are opportunistic omnivores, with a diet that varies with what is available. Prior to copulating, the males' testicles swell during the JanuaryFebruary period, with maximum size being attained in March. (Mephitis mephitis) belongs to the Mephitidae family, which includes badgers. Wade-Smith, J. While family ties are usually broken in August or September, some mothers over-winter with their offspring. The striped skunk occurs throughout most lowland areas in Washington, preferring open fields, pastures, and croplands near brushy fencerows, rock outcroppings, and brushy draws. Its active ingredient is a sulphide called mercaptan. 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. Their diet includes insects, fish, crustaceans, small mammals, fruits, nuts, grasses leaves, and carrion (dead animals). [4] The name "Alaska sable" was employed by furriers during the late 19th century. At 2-4 weeks, kits can assume a defensive stance and discharge fluid from their scent glands. They prefer open areas, with abundant populations observed on agricultural lands. Striped skunks are the biggest of the skunk species. Photo by Smithsonian Wild. A threatened striped skunk will try to run away from a perceived predator. The breeding season is from February to April, and females typically give birth once a year. Their practice of digging leaves small-but-noticeable pits in the ground, which can provide evidence of their presence in an area. The eastern spotted skunk, also known as the civet cat, reaches its northernmost limit in the northcentral United States. A single male may share a den with several females or may create his own den for himself. During the day, they nest in the abandoned dens that other animals have lived in, or in brush piles or hollowed logs, or underneath buildings. High corn plants also protect young skunks from airborne and land predators without impeding their movements. These polka-dotted relatives are smaller, about the size of a fat squirrel, and do impressive handstands to warn predators before they launch their stinky spray. As one of the most recognizable mammals anywhere, striped skunks are known for their black fur and characteristic white stripes on their head and down their back. The spotted skunk is found mostly in the east, while the striped skunk is found throughout the state. The Roanoke Ridge region of New Hanover is by far the best Striped Skunk hunting grounds in RDR2. When threatened, it can spray its scent 10-15 feet; the smell can reach up to a mile away. [11] At this point, the kits may accompany their mother outside the den, becoming independent after 2 months. Skunk spray can travel up to 10 feet (though odor can be detected further away), and when striped skunks and hooded skunks take aim, they are amazingly accurate. Spotted skunks were common around farms, and state harvest peaked at 19,400 in 1946, before populations plummeted. Probably the largest subspecies, similar to. The species commonly found in Pennsylvania is the striped skunk. Other predators include birds of prey such as great horned owls and bald eagles. 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. The striped skunk has a white stripe that starts at the top of its head, splits at the neck, and extends down each side of its body. They are also host for the canine parvovirus and may also suffer from leptospirosis. 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. Striped skunks can experience delayed implantation lasting up to 19 days. As members of the weasel family Mustelidae, they share the characteristics of a musky odor and well-developed scent glands. The striped skunk is a mostly nocturnal omnivore. If sprayed on the eyes, this compound can cause a temporary burning sensation. Male striped skunks breed with multiple females, and are rejected by the females after mating occurs. One outbreak can kill 80 percent of a regional skunk population in less than a year. Without doubt, the most widely recognized characteristic of the Striped skunk is the pungent odor of the musk that it produces. Southern California, from vicinity of Monterey Bay south into Lower California; east to the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino Range. Skunk musk is generally harmless. It persists in much of its original range and populations are healthy. Best places to see in Tennessee: Edges, corners, and fencerows of fields. Entirely white skunks, or skunks with the black replaced by seal brown or the white replaced by yellow are also know to occur. Males fight with each other, although they rarely discharge musk during these conflicts. They typically inhabit areas with a mixture of dense vegetation and open areas. Total length averaged 23.1 (586 mm), ranging from 17.6 to 25 (447-635 mm) in the Eastern United States, and ranged from 21.3 to 29.5 (540-750 mm) in Wisconsin. PO Box 188 Spotted skunks are more carnivorous than striped skunks, primarily feeding on small mammals, insects, eggs, and even carrion. [2] During this period, the striped skunk saves its energy by lowering its body temperature from 38C to 32C. . Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. Because skunks are difficult to kill without having them discharge their musk (and thus ruin their fur) they were typically dispatched with a paralyzing blow to the lower back or drowned if caught in a box trap. Common Name: Striped Skunk. However, roadside and lawn mowing, or any maintenance practice which prevents the development of a forest canopy, favors the continued existence of skunks. Eyes open when they are about 3 weeks old. Instantly recognizable, striped skunks are known for their signature coloration and for their ability to emit a strong and pungent odor when upset. One of the most common skunk complaints, a strong odor of skunk essence during the nights of early fall, often is the result of inadequate home maintenance and of allowing dogs to roam free at night. Black coat with white stripe that begins on forehead and then divides in two. Males are typically slightlylarger than females. [12] The forefeet are armed with five long, curved claws adapted for digging, while those on the hind feet are shorter and straighter. 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 . Striped skunks are omnivorous, opportunistic feeders. [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. Skunks are also popular characters in children's stories, comics and cartoons, most notably the Warner Bros character Pep Le Pew and the Disney character Flower of the 1942 animated film Bambi, their musky odor making them a source of fear and ostracization. A mated female drives off males shortly after her three-day estrus period ends. Striped skunks weigh up to 8 pounds. Striped skunks are polygamous omnivores with few natural predators, save for birds of prey. Gestation is for around 59 to 77 days, starting with delayed implantation that can be as long as 19 days. Though . Skunks are chiefly nocturnal, hunting from dusk until dawn, except during the breeding season when they are frequently observed during daylight hours. Presence. Striped and spotted skunks, which are both found in Mississippi, are among the most common and widely distributed mammals in North America. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Dens are usually short and shallow, a few yards long, and a yard underground. You may have heard that pelts of the striped skunk once were more valuable than they are in the current fur market. Its scientific name, mephitis, in Latin means bad odor. As the Maryland winter approaches, striped skunks begin looking for a den to spend the winter. [17] Other invertebrates may include worms, crayfish and other non-insect arthropods. More mature skunks will fall prey to foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and badgers. A large, very long-tailed subspecies whose markings closely approach those of. Their sense of touch, however, is acute. Young are born blind, with eyes opening between 2-4 weeks of age. Cipriani, D. (2011) "Skunks are affectionate, intelligent pets for owners who offer the proper care.". 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. [11] The latter name was originally used by English settlers, who noted the animal's similarity to the European polecat. In the Eastern United States however, the spotted skunk extends north only to southwestern Pennsylvania. Dogs, foxes, coyotes and bobcats take an occasional skunk, but the skunks potent musk warns off most predators. The value of each pixel in the map is an estimate of the species probability of occurrence. The second, still originating in the Texas-Mexico region, expanded westwards to the Rocky Mountains during the Illinoian glacial period. Striped skunks are omnivorous. The females will retreat to the den to give birth. New England and Middle Atlantic States; south to Virginia; west to Indiana. 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. 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. The Striped Skunk is found in lowlands throughout Washington, preferring relatively open country such as logged lands, old fields, open woods, brushy grassland, forest edges, riparian corridors, and agricultural areas. Skunks readily adapt to urban, suburban, and agricultural land use. Preferred foods are insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles; also eats bees, wasps, mice, lizards, snakes, crayfish, bird eggs, and mushrooms. 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. Size Total length: 14-24 inches; tail length: 4-11 inches; weight: -2 pounds (males are heavier than females). Tail is usually black, but sometimes has a white tip and sides. Some populations, particularly in northwestern Illinois, prefer cultivated areas over uncultivated ones. With twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States. Striped skunks were a staple of the fur trade into the 1950s, but low pelt . Skunks are intelligent and usually good-natured. . 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. Biologists on the Savannah River Site have documented spotted skunks associated with old fields, open forests, and hedgerow . Its tail is black, fluffy, and long. They have been observed living in wooded areas, deserts and plains, and have even adapted to urban and suburban environments. Once the mating period has finished, the impregnated females confine themselves to their dens, while the males attempt to rebuild their fat reserves. Quick Facts Species Type Native Size Around 8 pounds Habitat Forests, grasslands, meadows and suburban areas Range They will hunt with the mother for the first time around 7 weeks and weaning occurs at 8 weeks. Variations include striping patterns and coloration; some striped skunks may be cream-colored with no visible striping. The spotted skunk is also called a civet cat, but this name is misleading and incorrect because this mammal is not closely related to the true civets of the Old World or to cats. From the late 1990s until present, North Dakota dominates regional harvest. Striped skunks are classified as unprotected species in Minnesota. (1982). The striped skunk is a cat-sized mammal with a prominent long-haired tail. Mephitis memphitis has proven highly adaptable. Captive breeding of skunks proved relatively simple when compared to mink and marten farming, as skunks are easier to tame and have less specialized dietary needs. These grades are further subdivided in value according to their locality, with the most valuable occurring in northern regions, where the fur is finer and darker. Often, a skunk will use an abandoned woodchuck burrow, although if none are available it will dig its own. They prefer open areas with a variety of habitats and inhabit particularly mixed woodlands, brushy corners, and open fields interspersed with wooded ravines and rocky outcrops. The striped skunk has been protected under the Environmental Conservation Law since the late 1800s. [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. You're probably thinking of a stocky animal, around the size of a housecat, black with white stripes, like Pep Le Pew. Sexes are colored and marked alike. Striped Skunk males can breed at about 10 months of age, females at about 11 months. These animals are also found in rock outcrops (Crabb 1948). Some stories try to explain its striped pattern or how it got its smell. The central chamber is lined with dry grass and leaves. A medium-sized subspecies with a very long tail. Color: Black with two white stripes on its back and tail. If threatened, a skunk drums its forefeet on the ground, snarls, arches its back and raises its tail. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may apply. While not truly hibernating, striped skunks experience extended periods of inactivity during winter. 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. By November, young of the year are as large as adults. 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. 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