Along with the woodchuck, raccoon, Canada goose, mourning dove, several species of blackbirds and other wildlife, the skunk prospers wherever humans clear land for farming and remove or drive out larger predators. 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. [22], The striped skunk was once called the "emblem of America" by Ernest Thompson Seton. A muscle-encapsulated gland positioned under the tail produces a liquid that can be expelled. [13] It can be sprayed at a distance of several meters. Two subsequent subclades were formed during the Sangamonian interglacial on either side of the Sierra Nevada. The period of gestation for the female Striped Skunks lies between 59-77 days. And, contrary to popular opinion, it can discharge when hoisted by the tail. Such predators include cougars, coyotes, bobcats, badgers, and red and gray foxes. They prefer underground dens in colder winter climates. Average Size Striped skunks stand about 6 inches at the shoulder and weigh from 3 to 8 pounds, with males being 10 to 15 percent larger than females. Regularly occurring. Duluth, MN 55811, NRRI Coleraine[emailprotected] May stretch the length of the back. Florida to North Carolina, and in the mountains to West Virginia; west on the Gulf coast to the Mississippi River. The striped skunk is an interesting component of New York's wildlife assortment. The average lifespan of striped skunks in the wild is 7 years. 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. Striped skunks may be . Male tail length ranged from 8.7 to 11.0 (220-280 mm) in Minnesota, and female tail length ranged from 7.9 to 10.4 (200-265 mm) in Minnesota. Maryland is home to two members of the skunk family. Reduce, reuse and recycle in that order! Wade-Smith, J. Photo by Smithsonian Wild. If sprayed on the eyes, this compound can cause a temporary burning sensation. 3 of 8 The first record of this skunk in Minnesota is from Winona County in 1914. Present. The great horned owl, which lacks a well-developed sense of smell and apparently is not bothered by the skunks musk, is a predator. They have a long history of association with humans, having been trapped and captively bred for their fur[4] and kept as pets. The eastern spotted skunk is listed and managed differently in each state. Cipriani, D. (2011) "Skunks are affectionate, intelligent pets for owners who offer the proper care.". You may have heard that pelts of the striped skunk once were more valuable than they are in the current fur market. "Mephitis mephitis" (PDF). The Striped skunk seems aware of how horrible its own odor is and will not spray in its own dens or in confined spaces. They also prey on woodchucks and other young animals in burrows. One wildlife host that purportedly plays a role in the transmission of Chagas disease within the southern United States is the striped skunk . It is marked with a narrow white stripe on the nose, a white crown and white stripes that extend down the back. 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. However, recent surveys now . Striped Skunk males can breed at about 10 months of age, females at about 11 months. It has broad stripes that cover its body length, although the coloration may vary. Pioneers found the striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis) when they came to Ohio, although skunk numbers are far greater now. [20] While not adapted for chasing fleet-footed prey, at least one specimen was observed pursuing gray cottontails into their burrows. Female Striped Skunks give birth to six to eight babies once a year only during the month of May or June. 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. Ears: 0.8 - 1.0 inches Appearance: Short, stocky build. Striped skunks are natives of North America and occur from northern Mexico to southern Canada. 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 prey for raptors and larger mammal carnivores. Skunks are the primary hosts in the north- and south-central United States as well as in Canada. Like all skunks, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators. Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. Skunks are vulnerable to a variety of internal and external parasites. Skunks discharge their scent, or musk, through these nozzles, powering the stream with a strong hip muscle contraction. Summer home ranges of 83 to 1,860 acres have been reported for skunks in Illinois. Skunks seem to prefer slopes for den sites, probably because these areas drain well. Northern and central California, from the vicinity of Monterey Bay northward, west of the Sierra and Cascades, to the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Photo by Mike Ostrowski, Maryland Biodiversity Project. A similar, but less significant, secondary contact occurred when the same subclade intermingled with members of the eastern phylogroup east of the Mississippi river. It is currently listed as least concern by the IUCN on account of its wide range and ability to adapt to human-modified environments. Protection and promoting general public awareness of a species is a good way to secure its status. 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. [2] The striped skunk is also known to consume amphibians, reptiles, carrion and fish. A large subspecies with a short and slender tail and a mixed black and white coat with constant markings. 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. Instantly recognizable, striped skunks are known for their signature coloration and for their ability to emit a strong and pungent odor when upset. The newborns are blind and deaf, and wont open their eyes for about three weeks. [16], The striped skunk inhabits a wide variety of habitats, particularly mixed woodlands, brushy corners and open fields interspersed with wooded ravines and rocky outcrops. Young, called kits or kittens, are born helpless, with eyes opening at about 3 weeks and weaning occurring at 6 to 7 weeks. [10], The striped skunk may dig its own dens, though it will appropriate those abandoned by other animals should the opportunity present itself. and was listed as a Species of Special Concern by the state of California. Mammalian predators typically avoid skunks, unless they are starving. Striped skunks are found throughout Florida, except the Keys, and can be found in both natural and residential areas. Normally solitary, males and females get together for breeding in February and March. It also suggested that the decline in Plains Spotted Skunk harvest was due to decline in fur prices (Reports from 1951). Reproduction. 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 animal's body is from 8 to 19 inches long with a tail that can be as long as 15 inches. Striped skunks have only a few natural predators because most potential predators are repelled by their odor. Due to their diet, Striped skunks may affect insect populations in their range. Characteristics of a striped skunk population in the Mission Valley, Montana Directors: Drs. The most common skunks in North America, striped skunks are terrestrial animals that can survive in a variety of habitats and land types. Females give birth in May, often in woodchuck burrows, to an average litter of six. Skunks often leave holes in the ground where they forage for insects or tear apart ground nests of small animals. An interesting side note is that house cats tolerate the presence of skunks. Local populations are also affected by severe weather, food scarcities and habitat change. The long and sharp claws of a skunks forefeet are well-adapted to digging. 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. For the Muscogee people, the skunk represented family loyalty and defense of loved ones. In warmer weather, they depend on insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles, crayfish, and worms, with occasional fruits and nuts. 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. Striped skunks are common throughout their range. Tomato juice neutralizes the odor and will help remove the smell from clothes, hair, and dog fur. Skunk pelt prices may have doubled from about 1939 through the early 1940s, but they were never as valuable as red fox. The eyes are small and the ears are short. [11] The skunk will also consume vegetable matter, such as apples, blueberries, black cherries, ground cherries, corn and nightshade when in season. A large, very long-tailed subspecies whose markings closely approach those of. Males fight with each other, although they rarely discharge musk during these conflicts. [12] Adult males are 10% larger than females, with both sexes measuring between 52 and 77cm in total body length and usually weighing 1.84.5kg (4.09.9lb), though some may weigh 5.5kg (12lb). [19] Striped skunks inhabiting California's coastal areas will feed on crabs and beached fish. While family ties are usually broken in August or September, some mothers over-winter with their offspring. This association likely resulted in the striped skunk's subsequent unfavorable reputation as a poultry thief, despite it being a much less destructive animal than the true polecat. A skunks smelly spray can reach up to ten feet, and be detected for up to 2.4 km (1.5 mi). Some populations, particularly in northwestern Illinois, prefer cultivated areas over uncultivated ones.[. The species has triangular shaped heads that taper to the nose, small round ears and black eyes. [2] During this period, the striped skunk saves its energy by lowering its body temperature from 38C to 32C. [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. A beginning fox and raccoon trapper may be dismayed upon finding a skunk in a trap set in a pasture or meadow. Striped skunks can experience delayed implantation lasting up to 19 days. 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