Appearance. The striped skunk may occasionally reside in dense forest and at elevations of a least 659 m (2160 ft). The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is a highly adaptable animal that can be found in a wide variety of habitats, from open fields to urban areas.It is well known for its ability to spray an unpleasant scent to ward off potential threats. The striped skunk is an omnivore, eating both plants and animals. Weight: Between 3 and 10 pounds. Several other names attributed to S. putorius include: civet cat, polecat, hydrophobian skunk, phoby skunk, phoby cat, tree skunk, weasel skunk, black marten, little spotted skunk, four-lined skunk, four-striped skunk, and sachet kitty. The triangular head tapers to a bulbous nose pad and the tail is long and bushy. Physical characteristics and distribution. The striped skunk has a number of characteristics that make it one of the most desirable wild carnivores for scientific study. We studied coastal striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA to gather information on the population characteristics of this mesopredator on Atlantic coast beaches with nesting piping plovers (Charadrius melodus). Don't get close to a skunk. The tail is usually a mixture of white and black fur. Striped Skunk Mephitis mephitis. Striped skunks with an all-white back, or some white on the head and solid black backs also occur. The front track exhibits the long claws that the skunk uses for digging for food. ... Skunks are sometimes called polecats. 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. Two white lines forming a “V” from the shoulder area may extend part way or all of the way to the base of the bushy tail. Skunks are about the size of house cats, and have distinctive black and white fur patterns. Skunk. The striped skunk has thick, sleek black fur and a white stripe that splits into two at the shoulders and continues along each side of the back to the base of the tail. Striped skunk tracks. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. Well-developed scent glands that emit a very strong odor. The striped skunk is about the size of a house cat, with a large deep body, small head, and short legs. Displaying 87 data points . A striped skunk that I encountered out and about one night. Skunks will dig up their underground nests and as the yellow jackets escape from the nest the skunk stomps on them and eats them. The average skunk is between 40 and 70cm in height and weighs about the same as a domestic cat. While the tail is mostly black, the stripe may extend down, with a patch of white at the tip. The rest of the animal is black to further enhance the brightness of this aposematic coloring. Striped Skunks are moderately small mammals with black-and-white fur belonging to the family Mephitidae and the order Carnivora. Most enemies stay away from skunks. The hind foot is visible as a lighter imprint atop the front track. Distribution and habitat Range A favorite food of the striped skunk is the yellow jacket. ; the two stripes join into a broader white area at the nape. Characteristics: Most skunks are bright black and white. It is an opportunist by nature, depending on the season and food availability. However, all skunks are striped and baby skunks are even born with their striped markings regardless of their colour. Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) Export CSV file. Physical Characteristics: The striped skunk is the larger and more common of the two skunks inhabiting the park. This species is the size of a house cat, with small rounded ears and black eyes. The striped skunk has a black body with a white stripe along each side of its body. Length: Body--25 to 30 inches, tail--8 to 11 inches. A skunk is immune to their venom. A nice right front track, showing the longer claws found on the front foot of the skunk. Skunk, (family Mephitidae), also called polecat, black-and-white mammal, found primarily in the Western Hemisphere, that uses extremely well-developed scent glands to release a noxious odour in defense. General characteristics. From 2004 – 2008, we captured and marked 138 skunks and fitted 51 adults with VHF radio-collars. Size: Striped Skunks are the largest. The stripes usually meet again and form one stripe at the base of the skunk's tail. Its diet includes insects, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, small mammals, birds, eggs, vegetation and garbage. The striped skunk Mephitis mephitis is about the size of a cat, but has a stout body, a rather small head, short legs, and a bushy tail. Spotted skunks are smaller. In fact, rabies is more common in striped skunks than in any other Minnesota mammal. Great variation in color pattern and size of stripes. About the size of a house cat. Underground dens in well-drained sites which the striped skunk either excavates or, more often, uses after they have been abandoned by other mammals such as woodchuck or foxes, serves as homes. Striped skunks breed from mid-February to late-March. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is a skunk of the genus Mephitis that occurs across most of North America, including southern Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico. They are black across most of the body which is then patterned with a pair of white stripes running down either side of the body meeting on top of the head. There is also a stripe from the snout to the forehead. Striped skunks have black fur with a white stripe that starts on the head and forks into two stripes down the sides of the back. It is currently listed as least concern by the IUCN on account of its wide range and ability to adapt to human-modified environments. DISTRIBUTION. Often the presence of a skunk is first detected by its odor. They are about size of a cat. 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 … Physical Address: 284 State Street Augusta, ME 04333-0041. The colour of the skunk can vary from the typical black and white to grey, cream and even brown. Its small head fits conveniently, but sometimes too snugly, into enticing open jars. The Striped skunk is easily recognized by the twin parallel white striped that run along the length of its body, ending at the tail. This skunk is the size of a house cat, with small rounded ears, and black eyes. Description. The striped skunk is well known for its black and white fur.

My58 Schitt's Creek, Rocket League Mechanics To Learn Reddit, How Does Equatio Work, Mo Heat Level, Mxr Reverb Vs Holy Grail, Apps Like Mydol, Rollplay Turnado Replacement Charger, Carano Family Net Worth, Just Call On Me My Friend, Db Power Ip Camera Default Password, Arctic Warfare Police,