Its active ingredient is a sulphide called mercaptan. Skunk musk is generally harmless. 2012. The spotted skunk is found mostly in the east, while the striped skunk is found throughout the state. Striped skunks were a staple of the fur trade into the 1950s, but low pelt . This page is available in other languages. Male striped skunks breed with multiple females, and are rejected by the females after mating occurs. Their diet includes insects, fish, crustaceans, small mammals, fruits, nuts, grasses leaves, and carrion (dead animals). If sprayed on the eyes, this compound can cause a temporary burning sensation. Striped skunks are common throughout their range. Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. Other mortality factors are diseases such as pneumonia, distemper, pulmonary aspergillosis, tularemia, brucellosis and rabies; highway kills, starvation and trapping. Choosing reusable options instead can help reduce plastic pollution. The gestation period lasts 62-66 days, but sometimes up to 75 days. They are nocturnal animals (active mostly after dark). Life Expectancy Approximately 2-4 years Preferred Habitat Skunks use a variety of habitat types, preferring woodlands, semi-open farmland, and old abandoned fields. Large, bushy black and white tail. At 2-4 weeks, kits can assume a defensive stance and discharge fluid from their scent glands. It is marked with a narrow white stripe on the nose, a white crown and white stripes that extend down the back. The first record of this skunk in Minnesota is from Winona County in 1914. Wildlife researchers have estimated an average of one skunk per 10 acres of prime habitat and 13.5 skunks per square mile of agricultural land. Skunks can spray up to 15 feet, but the smell can carry up to a mile. Striped Skunk. Their senses of sight, smell and hearing have been judged poor to fair compared with those of other wild mammals. Field guides refer to the musk as highly repellent to all mammals. In short, it stinks. Transport the covered trap without too much jostling, and the animal will not spray. In spring, summer and early fall, a skunk may den in several different burrows; in winter, it tends to use just one. 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. [10], The striped skunk may dig its own dens, though it will appropriate those abandoned by other animals should the opportunity present itself. 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). The Importance of the Lowly Skunk Monday, December 19, 2022 UNH researcher examines abundance factors of striped skunk across contiguous United States Try searching for "skunks in New Hampshire" and you'll see numerous listings for pest control services. More mature skunks will fall prey to foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and badgers. Rosatte, R. & Lawson, S. (2003). There is Hunting and trapping are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, regulations. Trapping may help minimize the impacts of disease on a skunk population. The eyes are small and the ears are short. The striped skunk is a mostly nocturnal omnivore. Striped skunks are found throughout Florida, except the Keys, and can be found in both natural and residential areas. [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. Normally solitary, males and females get together for breeding in February and March. . Skunks often leave holes in the ground where they forage for insects or tear apart ground nests of small animals. Striped skunks are opportunistic omnivores, with a diet that varies with what is available. Striped skunks live throughout North America from southern Canada into northern Mexico. Skunks live in a variety of habitats. Cornfields are good feeding areas, where skunks forage for grasshoppers, grubs and beetles. A Striped Skunk in Queen Annes County, Maryland, 2020. 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. Its numbers usually decline as abandoned fields and pastures become forested. Where To Find 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. Length: 20.0 - 30.0 inches Cases of rabies in this species are generally epizootic and recurrent. 5013 Miller Trunk Hwy They typically inhabit areas with a mixture of dense vegetation and open areas. 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. Striped skunks are largely nocturnal, medium-sized omnivores in the weasel family (Mustelidae). These glands have nozzle-like ducts, which protrude through the anus. A skunk is colored black and white. Stink badgers are preyed upon by civets, cats, and humans. Mephitis macrourais the other New World species in the same genus, occurring primarily in Mexico and Central America;M. mephitisandM. macrouraranges overlap along a narrow strip of the U.S.-Mexico border in the southwest U.S., into northern Mexico. Striped skunks are natives of North America and occur from northern Mexico to southern Canada. Barton, H. D., and S. M. Wisely. This bustling skunk habitat spans as far west as Emerald Ranch before dispersing toward the state borders. It can spray in any direction by twisting its rump toward the target. when the Island Spotted Skunk had a small population and was not well-studied, the skunk that time was designated as a species of concern. It has broad stripes that cover its body length, although the coloration may vary. Skunks dig out bumblebee nests and scratch at the entrances of beehives, catching and eating any honeybees that fly out. Skunks are the primary hosts in the north- and south-central United States as well as in Canada. 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. Below, we have summarized the various classifications, monitoring, research, and contact information for each state alphabetically. Striped skunks are typically docile mammals that tolerate humans in close proximity without showing aggression. During winter for extended periods, they are inactive but they do not truly hibernate. Male total length ranged from 24.8 to 29.9 (630-760 mm) in Minnesota, and female total length ranged from 21.2 to 25.6 (540-650 mm) in Minnesota. 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. While family ties are usually broken in August or September, some mothers over-winter with their offspring. In the photo above, a striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is on left and a spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius) is on right. Wildlife researchers have estimated an average of one skunk per 10 acres of prime habitat and 13.5 skunks per square mile of agricultural land. Their sense of touch, however, is acute. These skunks only travel about 800 m from their home, yet they can walk about 2 km (1.2 mi) per night. Protect local waterways by using fewer pesticides when caring for your garden or lawn. Pioneers found the striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis) when they came to Ohio, although skunk numbers are far greater now. Skunks are known to everyone by sight, smell, and reputation. A Striped Skunk in Wicomico County, Maryland, 2011. Mephitis memphitis has proven highly adaptable. The Striped skunk can be recognized easily by its pattern and colors. In some states, like Florida, skunks may be killed only during a season, but harvests year-round are allowed in most states. The bottoms of their feet are hairless, like those of bears or raccoons. May stretch the length of the back. Presence. This type of regulatory protection has been successful. The mating season usually occurs between mid-February to mid-April, though it is delayed at higher latitudes. Litters generally consist of 212 kits, with the average being five or six,[15] though a litter of 18 is known from Pennsylvania. Variations include striping patterns and coloration; some striped skunks may be cream-colored with no visible striping. Immune to snake venom, these animals will eat poisonous snakes such as rattlesnakes. To one early 20th century naturalist, it was a mixture of perfume musk, essense of garlic, burning sulfur and sewer gas magnified a thousand times. Winter home ranges tend to be smaller than summer home ranges since skunks typically stay close to their dens. They will hunt with the mother for the first time around 7 weeks and weaning occurs at 8 weeks. [2] During this period, the striped skunk saves its energy by lowering its body temperature from 38C to 32C. Color: Black with two white stripes on its back and tail. Likewise for a homeowner or nuisance wildlife control agent who finds a skunk in the box trap set in the backyard. [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. The remedy is to close or screen all holes and crawl spaces, and to keep dogs confined. Striped skunks live throughout North America from southern Canada into northern Mexico. The average lifespan of striped skunks in the wild is 7 years. Total length: 20 to 28 inches. They develop quickly. Regularity. In warmer weather, they depend on insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles, crayfish, and worms, with occasional fruits and nuts. The striped skunk is one of the major carriers of the rabies virus, second only to raccoons in the US where skunks are 25% of annual cases. Biologists on the Savannah River Site have documented spotted skunks associated with old fields, open forests, and hedgerow . The word skunk comes from the Algonquin Indian name for the animal, seganku. The striped skunk has been protected under the Environmental Conservation Law since the late 1800s. Some female yearlings will stay with their mothers into the coming winter. Variations include striping patterns and coloration; some striped skunks may be cream-colored with no visible striping. Skunks fill various roles in legends and may be featured as heroes, villains, tricksters, or monsters. Late-winter to early-spring is mating season. Striped skunks can experience delayed implantation lasting up to 19 days. The eastern spotted skunk, also known as the civet cat, reaches its northernmost limit in the northcentral United States. The the striped skunk in Tennessee is the most commone and it occurs state-wide. Skunks readily adapt to urban, suburban, and agricultural land use. They prefer open areas, with abundant populations observed on agricultural lands. 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. If cornered, the striped skunk will turn and confront its opponent, arching its back and displaying its long and bushy tail to make itself appear larger, followed by stamping its feet. Scientific Name: Mephitis mephitis. Dens are usually short and shallow, a few yards long, and a yard underground. 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. To help assess population trends, we can look at regional furbearer harvest data, methods. Photo by Smithsonian Wild. 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. This happens in early fall because skunks search for cubby holes to spend the winter. There is a high mortality rate among skunks; many do not survive beyond their first year. Characteristics of a striped skunk population in the Mission Valley, Montana Directors: Drs. This is a raster map of striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) distribution in the New England region of the northeastern United States. However, roadside and lawn mowing, or any maintenance practice which prevents the development of a forest canopy, favors the continued existence of skunks. [13] The meat was prized by Chinese immigrants, who also bought skunk gall bladders for medicinal purposes. 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. In cultivated areas, striped skunks will dig their dens in fencerows, likely because they are less likely to be disturbed by machinery or livestock. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is the most common skunk in Texas and North America. Their practice of digging leaves small-but-noticeable pits in the ground, which can provide evidence of their presence in an area. [12] The forefeet are armed with five long, curved claws adapted for digging, while those on the hind feet are shorter and straighter. 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. Hooded and hog-nosed skunks occupy ranges from the U.S. Southwest to southernmost Argentina and Peru. The striped skunk is a mostly nocturnal omnivore. Striped skunks have an easily identifiable coloration: two thick white stripes along the back and tail sharply contrast an otherwise black coat. Due to their diet, Striped skunks may affect insect populations in their range. May help minimize the impacts of disease on a skunk population 2003 ) skunks occupy ranges the. 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