Description

Typically black with 2 broad white stripes on back meeting in cap on head and shoulders; thin white stripe down center of face. Bushy black tail, often with white tip or fringe. Species coloration varies from mostly black to mostly black to mostly white. Male larger than female. L 20-31"; T 7 1/4-15 1/2"; HR 2 1/4-3 1/2"; Wt 6-14 lb.Similar Species

Similar Species

Common Hog-nosed Skunk has white back and tail, snout naked on top, and no white facial stripe. Hooded Skunk has longer tail and is usually mostly black with narrow white stripes (in white-backed phase, black hairs are interspersed)

Breeding

Mates February-April; implantation delayed about 19 days. total gestation 62-66 days. Litter of 4-7 young born in mid-May; young are blind at birth, their very fine hair clearly marked with black-and-white pattern.

Sign

Strong odor if skunk has sprayed recently. Small pits in ground or patches of clawed-up earth.

Den: Burrow, in any protected place with up to 5 entrances, each about 8" in diameter. Entrances well hidden, but sometimes marked with nesting material and snagged hairs. Burrow has 1-3 chambers,12-15" in diameter; one chamber has nest of dried grass.

Scat: Varies, generally dark, cylindrical, sometimes segmented, varying in size.

Tracks: 5 toes print when clear; sometimes claws show. Foreprints 1-1 3/4" long, slightly wider. Hindprints 1 1/4-2" long, slightly narrower, broader at front; somewhat flat-footed. Stride 4-6". Because skunks shuffle and waddle, tracks are closer then in other mustelids, and foreprints and hindprints usually don not overlap. When animal is running, stride is longer, and hindfeet print ahead of forefeet. Trail undulates slightly because of waddling walk.

Habitat

Desert, woodlands, grassy plains, and suburbs.

Other

Whereas most animals have evolved coloration that blends with their environment, the Striped Skunk, like other skunks, is boldly colored, advertising to potential enemies that it is not to be bothered. Its anal glands hold about a tablespoon of a fetid, oily, yellowish musk, enough for five or six jets of spray, although one is usually enough. When threatened, the Striped Skunk will face the intruder, arch and elevate its tail, erect the tail hairs, chatter its teeth, and stomp the ground with the front feet. This usually causes the intruder to retreat, but if it remains, the skunk will twist its back around, raise its tail straight up, evert its anal nipple, and spray scent 10 to 15 feet. The mist may reach three times as far, and the smell may carry a mile. Spray in the eyes causes intense pain and fleeting loss of vision. Sudden movement, noise, or a close approach can trigger the spray, and the Striped Skunk can spray even when held aloft by the tail. Ammonia or tomato juice can be used to remove the odor; carbolic soap and water are best for washing skin. The Striped Skunk is primarily nocturnal and does not hibernate.