SmithsoniansNationalZoo& ConservationBiologyInstitute Regionally, skunk harvest plummeted from peaks in the 1970s and 1980s. Skunks are placid and sluggish. Now more than ever, we need your support. Eastern Canada; Nova Scotia, Quebec, and northern Ontario. Reproduction. Summer home ranges of 83 to 1,860 acres have been reported for skunks in Illinois. Skunks are the primary hosts in the north- and south-central United States as well as in Canada. Go to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. This is a raster map of striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) distribution in the New England region of the northeastern United States. 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. A medium-sized subspecies with a very long tail. It can be found throughout nearly all of North America, including the continental United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. They can weigh from 6 to 14 pounds. 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. [11], Skunk farming largely began during the late 1890s, when there was much foreign demand for their skins, and intensive trapping had largely extirpated the more valuable mostly black-colored specimens. Striped skunks reach reproductive maturity when they are 10 months old. Litters number 2 to 10 kits. The novelty song "Dead Skunk" by Loudon Wainwright III was popular in the early 1970s. Mephitis memphitis has proven highly adaptable. After three weeks, their scent glands become functional; at four weeks, their eyes open; and at about two months the young are weaned and ready to leave the den for nighttime hunting forays. The average lifespan of striped skunks in the wild is 7 years. Striped skunks are omnivorous. Eyes open when they are about 3 weeks old. Striped skunks have an easily identifiable coloration: two thick white stripes along the back and tail sharply contrast an otherwise black coat. 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. They can swim, but are poor climbers. Spotted skunks will also use barns and out buildings for cover. You may have heard that pelts of the striped skunk once were more valuable than they are in the current fur market. Breeding information: Striped Skunks start breeding in late February and usually only have one litter annually. In the days of small dairy farms, several dozen barn cats often ate from the same pan of milk after each milking. Confident. The bottoms of their feet are hairless, like those of bears or raccoons. The striped skunk is a mostly nocturnal omnivore. Photo by Mike Ostrowski, Maryland Biodiversity Project. Striped skunks were a staple of the fur trade into the 1950s, but low pelt . They eat pests including potato bugs, tobacco worms and Japanese beetles. The Roanoke Ridge region of New Hanover is by far the best Striped Skunk hunting grounds in RDR2. Notice that spotted skunks are smaller, about the size of a large fox squirrel (0.5 to 4 pounds), while striped skunks are about the size of a house cat (5 to 10 pounds). Striped skunks live throughout North America from southern Canada into northern Mexico. 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. Northern and central California, from the vicinity of Monterey Bay northward, west of the Sierra and Cascades, to the Willamette Valley, Oregon. A skunks pelt is composed of soft, wavy underfur overlain with long, coarse guard hairs. 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. 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. Eastern spotted skunk on the Appalachian Trail. The markings can be highly variable, with some striped skunks appearing almost all white or all black. May stretch the length of the back. In winter it is common for a single den to be occupied by multiple females and a single male. Skunks are known to everyone by sight, smell, and reputation. But the omnivorous striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)New England's only native When threatened, it can spray its scent 10-15 feet; the smell can reach up to a mile away. [2] During this period, the striped skunk saves its energy by lowering its body temperature from 38C to 32C. Striped skunks can experience delayed implantation lasting up to 19 days. What they eat depends on where they live and what is available. [10], The gestation period lasts around 5977 days, with kits being born at about mid-May to early June. Some harvesting continues today. Cases of rabies in this species are generally epizootic and recurrent. As members of the weasel family Mustelidae, they share the characteristics of a musky odor and well-developed scent glands. Barton, H. D., and S. M. Wisely. 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. Striped skunk is ideally suited for this purpose because the white hairs of the pelt become a uniform, glossy black when dyed. Immune to snake venom, these animals will eat poisonous snakes such as rattlesnakes. Regional records for the eastern spotted skunk suggest that this species extended its range northward into Minnesota in the early 1900s. Striped skunks may be . [10][11] The Cree and Ojibwe word shee-gawk is the root word for Chicago, which means 'skunk-land'. For this reason, it is not wise to feed a house cat outside your home after dark. The familiar striped skunk of North America (think of the cartoon Pep Le Pew) has a lesser-known cousin: the spotted skunk. [11] The skunk will also consume vegetable matter, such as apples, blueberries, black cherries, ground cherries, corn and nightshade when in season. Male striped skunks breed with multiple females, and are rejected by the females after mating occurs. Tomato juice neutralizes the odor and will help remove the smell from clothes, hair, and dog fur. After 60 days gestation, she bears 2 to 10 young (usually 5 to 7). They have a long history of association with humans, having been trapped and captively bred for their fur[4] and kept as pets. There is Three other skunk species live in the United States: hooded and hognose skunks, which inhabit the Southwest, and the spotted skunk, which is found throughout much of the country. The central chamber is lined with dry grass and leaves. Fun Facts: 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. Female Striped Skunks give birth to six to eight babies once a year only during the month of May or June. The Striped Skunk. The great horned owl, which lacks a well-developed sense of smell and apparently is not bothered by the skunks musk, is a predator. Scientific Name: Mephitis mephitis. 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. A skunk can shoot musk about twelve feet, but will use it as only a last resort, preferring, instead, to bluff an enemy. Skunks are about the size of house cats, and have distinctive black and white fur patterns. A Striped Skunk in Wicomico County, Maryland, 2011. 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. About the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Two New Striped Skunks Make Debut At Small Mammal House, A Quack-filled Roll Call: Meet the Ducks of the Bird House, #CheetahCubdate 7: How to Enrich and Train Cheetahs, New at the Zoo: Meet Our Gray Seal, Jo-Jo. Choosing reusable options instead can help reduce plastic pollution. 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. Reduce, reuse and recycle in that order! A surfeit is the word for a group of skunks. Striped skunks are natives of North America and occur from northern Mexico to southern Canada. At 2-4 weeks, kits can assume a defensive stance and discharge fluid from their scent glands. [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. Once the mating period has finished, the impregnated females confine themselves to their dens, while the males attempt to rebuild their fat reserves. 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. The most common skunks in North America, striped skunks are terrestrial animals that can survive in a variety of habitats and land types. The first emerged from the Texas-Mexico region during the Rancholabrean before the Illinoian glaciation and colonized the southeastern United States. Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. 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. Printable Striped Skunk Wildlife Note (PDF). 3 of 8 Skunks live in a variety of habitats. Southern and western Texas, eastern New Mexico, and adjacent parts of Mexico; north into Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. Their practice of digging leaves small-but-noticeable pits in the ground, which can provide evidence of their presence in an area. Eastern spotted skunk Skunks dig out bumblebee nests and scratch at the entrances of beehives, catching and eating any honeybees that fly out. They favor mixed woods and brushland, rolling weedy fields, fencerows, wooded ravines and rocky outcrops in or near agricultural areas. Some female yearlings will stay with their mothers into the coming winter. They also prey on woodchucks and other young animals in burrows. Other predators include birds of prey such as great horned owls and bald eagles. A single male may have a harem of several females, which he mates with and defends against other males for a period of about 35 days. According to IUCN, the Striped skunk is common and widely distributed throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Regularity. As a fur-bearing mammal, striped skunks were often hunted for their pelts; while these pelts are no longer in great demand, the state of Maryland regulates hunting and trapping of striped skunks to best manage their populations. Some specimens have a white patch on the chest, while others bear white stripes on the outer surface of the front limbs. [4] The name "Alaska sable" was employed by furriers during the late 19th century. Striped skunks will dig these dens if necessary, but also may occupy one vacated by a groundhog or other animal. Striped skunks weigh up to 8 pounds. 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. Skunk musk is generally harmless. They typically use underground dens which can be in grassy banks, rocky crevices, or along fencerows, although sometimes they use aboveground dens including barns, woodpiles, haystacks, or rock or brush piles. Skunks are prey for raptors and larger mammal carnivores. They have been observed living in wooded areas, deserts and plains, and have even adapted to urban and suburban environments. NRRI Duluth[emailprotected] As a last resort, it releases the sulfuric anal juices towards the face of the offender. New Hanover. 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. Skunks are a major reservoir for rabies and other parasites. Stripes vary in length and width among individuals. They move at a deliberate walk, slow trot or clumsy gallop. This page is available in other languages. Their diet will vary depending on whats available during each season. A white triangle can be seen on their face starting at the forehead and pointing down like an arrowhead to their nose. Gestation is for around 59 to 77 days, starting with delayed implantation that can be as long as 19 days. Striped skunks are opportunistic omnivores, with a diet that varies with what is available. Skunks are chiefly nocturnal, hunting from dusk until dawn, except during the breeding season when they are frequently observed during daylight hours. Instantly recognizable, striped skunks are known for their signature coloration and for their ability to emit a strong and pungent odor when upset. 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. Prairie region of Illinois, western Indiana, and eastern Iowa. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is an omnivorous mammal of the skunk family Mephitidae. This oily musk, which is expelled through the anus, may cause temporary blindness or pain if sprayed in the potential attackers eyes. Skunks discharge their scent, or musk, through these nozzles, powering the stream with a strong hip muscle contraction. Skunks have small heads, with small eyes and ears and a pointed nose. The Spotted Skunk population also appears to have reached a plateau. The most common skunks in North America, striped skunks are terrestrial animals that can survive in a variety of habitats and land types. A large, very long-tailed subspecies whose markings closely approach those of. They prefer open areas, with abundant populations observed on agricultural lands. 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. (1982). During winter for extended periods, they are inactive but they do not truly hibernate. The advantage that these birds have over their terrestrial counterparts is that, because they have no sense of smell, they are unaffected by the striped skunks last means of defense: its spray. 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). 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". Due to their diet, Striped skunks may affect insect populations in their range. 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. The skunk's best known feature is its ability to squirt an extremely potent and disagreeable secretion at potential attackers. Skunk pelts are divided into four grades, with the most prized being the ones with a greater amount of black. 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. 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 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. Winter home ranges tend to be smaller than summer home ranges since skunks typically stay close to their dens. Since 1996, spotted skunks have been classified as threatened in Minnesota, and any sightings should be reported to Minnesota DNR. Coyotes, foxes, owls, bobcat and fisher will prey on skunks, and collisions with cars are a common cause of skunk deaths. Spotted skunks have a more complicated pattern of spots and broken lines, while striped skunks have two white stripes running from head to tail. Status in Tennessee: Striped Skunks may be abundant in certain areas, so there are no conservation concerns. Skunks are susceptible to distemper and rabies. Other mortality factors are diseases such as pneumonia, distemper, pulmonary aspergillosis, tularemia, brucellosis and rabies; highway kills, starvation and trapping. In G. Feldhamer, B. Thompson, & J. Chapman (Eds., 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T41635A45211301.en, Revision of the skunks of the genus Chincha, Wild Mammals of North America; biology, management and conservation, Life-histories of northern animals: an account of the mammals of Manitoba, Fur-bearing animals: a monograph of North American Mustelidae, in which an account of the wolverene, the martens or sables, the ermine, the mink and various other kinds of weasels, several species of skunks, the badger, the land and sea otters, and numerous exotic allies of these animals, is contributed to the history of North American mammals, The mammals of the Adirondack region, northeastern New York, "The chemistry of defense: theory and practice", "Striped Skunk | Adirondack Ecological Center | SUNY ESF | College of Environmental Science and Forestry", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Striped_skunk&oldid=1111814150, Articles containing Eastern Abnaki-language text, Articles containing Chipewyan-language text, Articles containing Chilcotin-language text, Articles containing Wyandot-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. 5013 Miller Trunk Hwy Until the early 1990s, Minnesota dominated regional harvest. Sexes are colored and marked alike. Skunks can live in an area for years and, because of their nocturnal habits, remain unseen, although perhaps not unsmelled, by most people. Many a farmer arrived to pour the dregs of the milk strainer into the cat dish and found that one of the cats had a broad tail and a characteristic white "V" across its back. 0 inches Musk can make a predator sick or, if the skunk has been able to direct the substance into the animals eyes, temporarily blind. Adult skunks are about two feet long, including a 7- to 10-inch tail. [2], While primarily an insectivore, the striped skunk is adaptable enough to incorporate other animals and even vegetable matter into its diet. Common Name: Striped Skunk. To help assess population trends, we can look at regional furbearer harvest data, methods. Threats to striped skunks include severe weather, naturally occurring predation and disease, exposure to chemicals and other human activities. In colder weather, they may eat voles, young birds, or bird eggs. Striped skunks are common throughout their range. Mostly nocturnal and does not hibernate. Widespread, it is found in suitable habitat from sea level to timberline in all 48 contiguous states, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is the most common skunk in Texas and North America. This type of regulatory protection has been successful. If that does not deter the intruder, the striped skunk will bend around while still facing the threat, stand on its front legs, and spray. Like all skunks, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators. Striped skunks live throughout North America from southern Canada into northern Mexico. Phylogeography of striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in North America: Pleistocene dispersal and contemporary population structure. 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. Skunks are armed with a potent defensive weapon: a pair of large scent glands found beneath the skin on either side of the rectum. Skunks are susceptible to several diseases including canine distemper and most notably, rabies. They are found in every county of Ohio as well as throughout the United States. However, these animals may still be harvested in most parts of Canada and the United States. Presence. [5], The striped skunk was regularly eaten by trappers and indigenous peoples, provided the animal was not too old or had not sprayed before being killed. The specific pattern of the stripes on the head, body and tail can vary among individuals, and is accompanied by a thin, white stripe running from the snout to forehead. At birth, striped skunks weigh less than an ounce. The skunk will move backwards towards the aggressor while stamping its feet. [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. Below, we have summarized the various classifications, monitoring, research, and contact information for each state alphabetically. Gestation takes approximately two months, so that by May a female is caring for an average litter of five or six young. Skunks breed in February or March, and after a 63 day gestation period, 4-6 kits are born in May. Striped Skunks reach the lowest torpid body temperature of all carnivores, dropping from 98.6F to 78.8F (37C to 26C). This skunk is considerably smaller than striped skunks on the mainland and has softer, glossier fur. 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. Size: 18-32 inches long; up to 8 lbs. Skunks molt yearly, beginning in April and ending in September. Striped skunk sizes vary greatly depending upon time of year and geographic location,with weights fluctuating between 1.5 and 13 pounds (0.7 to 6.3 kg), and total length varying between18 and 32 inches (46.5 to 81.5 cm). The skunk excels at this potential and can discharge a foul-smelling fluid as a means of defense. Pioneers found the striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis) when they came to Ohio, although skunk numbers are far greater now. [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. Although they are blind and unfurred, the pattern of their future black-and-white pelage shows on their pinkish, wrinkled skin. Of the 3 skunks that underwent necropsy on 3 dpi, 2 had infectious virus in the turbinates but not in other tissues tested. Skunks do not hibernate, although they may remain dormant underground all winter. 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. Best places to see in Tennessee: Edges, corners, and fencerows of fields. The tail is bushy and black and usually has a white tip. The striped skunk 2. Skunks are host to fleas, lice, mites, ticks and various internal parasites. (females slightly smaller). Hunting and trapping are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, regulations. That describes North America's most common skunk, the striped skunk, but they also have smaller, spotted cousins. Formerly a member of the weasel family (with mink, otter, fisher, marten), skunks have now been classified into their own family, "Mephitidae". "Mephitis mephitis" (PDF). Striped skunks are classified as unprotected species in Minnesota. It is found all across the state. There is a high mortality rate among skunks; many do not survive beyond their first year. [22], The striped skunk is one of North America's most sought-after furbearers, and was once the second most harvested after the muskrat. Most striped skunks do not survive their first year, succumbing to the weather or disease. [13] The meat was prized by Chinese immigrants, who also bought skunk gall bladders for medicinal purposes. The the striped skunk in Tennessee is the most commone and it occurs state-wide. The population of both Striped and Spotted Skunks is very unstable and subject to violent fluctuations in any given area" (Reports from 1951:17). Skunk fur is an important asset to the fur industry, with pelts with a greater percentage of black grading higher. Keystone State. Although they may cover several miles each night while hunting, established individuals rarely wander more than a half-mile from their home burrows. Striped skunks are classified as unprotected species in Minnesota. Southern Washington and northern Oregon, east of the Cascade Mountains. [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. Can discharge a foul-smelling fluid as a last resort, striped skunk population by state releases sulfuric. ], the gestation period, the striped skunk once were more valuable they. Have one litter annually reduce plastic pollution and Ojibwe word shee-gawk is the for! To feed a house cat outside your home after dark each night hunting. 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