Striped Skunk
Scientific Name: Mephitis mephitis
Striped skunks have a mostly black coat with a distinct white stripe along the center of their snout, forehead, and neck. The white stripe usually extends down the back and splits into a V-shape. They have a small triangular shaped head, small ears, and small black eyes. Their body is stout with short legs, 5-toed feet and long claws. Males are slightly larger than females and are about the size of a house cat.
Adult size: 18 to 32 in
Weight: 1.5 to 13.8 lbs
Life span: Up to 7 years
Maturity: 10 months
Litter size: 2 to 10
Fun Fact
The striped skunk’s scientific name is “Mephitis mephitis” which comes from the Latin word mephit, meaning “bad odor.”
Diet
Striped skunks are opportunistic feeders but are mostly insectivorous. They feed on grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, and other invertebrates including worms and crayfish. They will occasionally consume higher protein foods during the winter such as voles, eggs, amphibians, reptiles, carrion and fish. They will occasionally feed on plant matter.
Habitat
Striped skunks can be found in a variety of habitats including forests, scrublands, wooded ravines, grassy plains, as well as suburban and urban environments.
Behavior
The striped skunk is known for its defensive spraying behavior; however, they are usually quite docile and ignore other animals. When they do feel threatened, they can use their scent glands to discharge a potent musk up to 6 meters. The musk is an irritant that can cause nausea, pain, and temporary blindness. The skunk will turn its back to the threat and often stomp their feet or do a handstand in warning before spraying.
Striped skunks are mostly solitary and nocturnal. During the day they spend their time in underground dens, hollowed trees, and brush piles. They will use other mammals’ dens but are efficient diggers and will create their own dens as well. They do not hibernate in the winter, but they may become inactive, using their fat stores for energy. When weather is particularly cold, they can be seen participating in communal denning.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Striped skunks are polygamous, meaning females typically only reproduce once a year and mate with one male, while males will reproduce with multiple females. After mating, females no longer associate with males and will become aggressive towards them.
Breeding generally occurs between February and April. They can reproduce again in May if their first litter is lost, or in the case of a pseudopregnancy. Gestation lasts from 59-77 days, starting with a period of delayed implantation that can last up to 19 days.
Population Status
Striped skunks have abundant populations and are not threatened. They are listed as of “least concern” on the IUCN Red List.
Viewing
Skunks are mostly nocturnal, so they can be difficult to see during the day. They are most active during their breeding season from February to April. They can be found in open areas such as fields and forest edges. They are often spotted within cities and in peoples backyards.
Range
Striped skunks can be found across the majority of North America. They span from the west to the east coast in the United States and are found in parts of southern Canada and northern Mexico.
For more information on Striped skunk in New York please visit the NYSDEC page here.
