striped skunk population by state
Arizona, western New Mexico, Sonora, Chihuahua, and northern Lower California; south in the Sierra Madre to southern Chihuahua. Though . You may have heard that pelts of the striped skunk once were more valuable than they are in the current fur market. A single male may have a harem of several females, which he mates with and defends against other males for a period of about 35 days. The tail is bushy and black and usually has a white tip. Presence. Skunks are known to everyone by sight, smell, and reputation. Dens are usually short and shallow, a few yards long, and a yard underground. The striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis) is a distinctive member of Indiana's wildlife community. Other mortality factors are diseases such as pneumonia, distemper, pulmonary aspergillosis, tularemia, brucellosis and rabies; highway kills, starvation and trapping. The striped skunk is a black and white mammal about the size of a house cat. Skunks dig out bumblebee nests and scratch at the entrances of beehives, catching and eating any honeybees that fly out. The spray, which can not only offend the nose but sting the eyes, can reach 12 feet from the skunk; the mist of the spray and the odor can travel considerably further. Variations include striping patterns and coloration; some striped skunks may be cream-colored with no visible striping. (Verts, 1967). The skunk excels at this potential and can discharge a foul-smelling fluid as a means of defense. The Striped Skunk. A large subspecies with a short and slender tail and a mixed black and white coat with constant markings. Often, a skunk will use an abandoned woodchuck burrow, although if none are available it will dig its own. Tail is usually black, but sometimes has a white tip and sides. Striped skunks mate in February and early March. Names . During the breeding season, males may travel as far as 8 km (4.9 mi) at night. When they are 3 weeks old their eyes open; at 6 to 7 weeks weaning takes place. Some specimens have a white patch on the chest, while others bear white stripes on the outer surface of the front limbs. Striped skunks are found throughout Florida, except the Keys, and can be found in both natural and residential areas. 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. Musk is an oily liquid, creamy or yellowish in color. The most common skunks in North America, striped skunks are terrestrial animals that can survive in a variety of habitats and land types. Other summer foods include spiders, toads, frogs, lizards, snakes, mice, chipmunks and the eggs of turtles and ground-nesting birds. 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. These polka-dotted relatives are smaller, about the size of a fat squirrel, and do impressive handstands to warn predators before they launch their stinky spray. [18] In the winter and spring months, the striped skunk will supplement its diet with vertebrates such as white-footed mice, voles, eggs and the chicks of ground nesting birds. "Mephitis mephitis" (PDF). And, like these two other mammals, skunks walk in a plantigrade manneron the soles of their feet with heels touching the ground. Tail: 7.0 - 15. A study released in 2013 included a video of a Western spotted skunk handstanding and facing off with a mountain lion over a deer carcass. [11], The striped skunk is easily tamed and was often kept in barns to kill rats and mice during the 19th century. Regionally, skunk harvest plummeted from peaks in the 1970s and 1980s. Appearance: Short, stocky build. & Verts, B. J. 2012. Their practice of digging leaves small-but-noticeable pits in the ground, which can provide evidence of their presence in an area. This type of regulatory protection has been successful. Skunks are placid and sluggish. The Winnebago people used the skunk to symbolize vanity, being beautiful on the outside but ugly on the inside. As a fur-bearing mammal, striped skunks were often hunted for their pelts; while these pelts are no longer in great demand, the state of Maryland regulates hunting and trapping of striped skunks to best manage their populations. Skunks can spray up to 15 feet, but the smell can carry up to a mile. Large, bushy black and white tail. And, contrary to popular opinion, it can discharge when hoisted by the tail. A skunk can shoot musk about twelve feet, but will use it as only a last resort, preferring, instead, to bluff an enemy. Occurrence estimates were calculated from species-specific distribution models fit using expert-opinion data and generalized linear mixed modeling. Male striped skunks breed with multiple females, and are rejected by the females after mating occurs. Mephitis memphitis has proven highly adaptable. Litters of 2-16 (usually 4-6) young are born in May or June. The breeding season is from February to April, and females typically give birth once a year. In winter it is common for a single den to be occupied by multiple females and a single male. Skunks have been the most commonly confirmed rabies species, other than raccoons, during the spread of raccoon rabies throughout Southern New York. Spraying an offending creature typically occurs after a warning display, which involves the skunk stomping its feet and arching its back while raising its tail. It has been prevalent in modern popular culture, being the subject of various jazz and funk songs like Cab Calloway's "Skunk Song" and the Brecker Brothers' "Some Skunk Funk". A skunks smelly spray can reach up to ten feet, and be detected for up to 2.4 km (1.5 mi). Docile in nature, they are famous for their defense system of a bad-smelling spray that comes from two glands near the base of their tail. Written by Jason Dahl, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student. Skunks often leave holes in the ground where they forage for insects or tear apart ground nests of small animals. Females usually lose 10 to 30 percent of their body weight by spring; males lose only about 10 percent, as they are more inclined to leave their dens and feed during mild spells. [10][11] The Cree and Ojibwe word shee-gawk is the root word for Chicago, which means 'skunk-land'. Their sense of touch, however, is acute. Probably the largest subspecies, similar to. Winter home ranges tend to be smaller than summer home ranges since skunks typically stay close to their dens. Coyotes, foxes, owls, bobcat and fisher will prey on skunks, and collisions with cars are a common cause of skunk deaths. In the days of small dairy farms, several dozen barn cats often ate from the same pan of milk after each milking. To a chemist, the spray consists of of four carbon and hydrogen compounds called thiols. The regulations allow only a limited, open harvest season. Eastern Canada; Nova Scotia, Quebec, and northern Ontario. The the striped skunk in Tennessee is the most commone and it occurs state-wide. Skunks are intelligent and usually good-natured. Gestation takes approximately two months, so that by May a female is caring for an average litter of five or six young. While the mammals have adapted to a wide range of environments, they prefer habitat with a variety of woodlands and open fields, which means they can also be found in both rural and suburban settings. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. This page is available in other languages. Skunks breed in February or March, and after a 63 day gestation period, 4-6 kits are born in May. And now, this skunk group has a few more members. They weigh 3 to 12 pounds, depending on age, sex, physical condition and time of year. Skunks are a major reservoir for rabies and other parasites. Color: Black with two white stripes on its back and tail. They are nocturnal animals (active mostly after dark). The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is the most common skunk in Texas and North America. Found up to about 2000 feet on the west side of the state. Entirely white skunks, or skunks with the black replaced by seal brown or the white replaced by yellow are also know to occur. Striped Skunks become sexually mature when they are approximately ten months old. Here, we report the observation of tentative tool use in a wild striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), captured by a trail camera in the front yard of a hobby naturalist who shared the photographs on social media. Males are typically slightlylarger than females. Eastern spotted skunk Characteristics of a striped skunk population in the Mission Valley, Montana Directors: Drs. [11] The latter name was originally used by English settlers, who noted the animal's similarity to the European polecat. Their body temperature remains near normal. Status in Tennessee: Striped Skunks may be abundant in certain areas, so there are no conservation concerns. The Great Horned Owl is the chief predator of skunks; the skunk's odor does not seem to deter them. In general, adults range more widely than juveniles, males more widely than females. Striped skunks are classified as unprotected species in Minnesota. In the photo above, a striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is on left and a spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius) is on right. In colder weather, they may eat voles, young birds, or bird eggs. They occasionally receive mice, eggs, nuts and select fruits as well. A skunks pelt is composed of soft, wavy underfur overlain with long, coarse guard hairs. 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. For this reason, it is not wise to feed a house cat outside your home after dark. 5013 Miller Trunk Hwy Description: A medium-sized, stout-bodied mammal with a small head, short legs, and a prominent, bushy tail. Eyes open when they are about 3 weeks old. I studied habitat, site, and population parameters of striped skunks, based on . [10], The color patterns of the fur vary greatly, but generally consist of a black base with a white stripe extending from the head which divides along the shoulders, continuing along the flanks to the rump and tail. Striped skunks are opportunistic omnivores, with a diet that varies with what is available. [11], Like all skunks, the striped skunk possesses two highly developed scent glands, one on each side of the anus, containing about 15 milliliters of musk each,[13] which provides a chemical defense against predation. Photo by Smithsonian Wild. Skunk fur is an important asset to the fur industry, with pelts with a greater percentage of black grading higher. (1982). They may be active even during cold weather, especially during the breeding season. Similar Species: Eastern Spotted Skunk has vertical stripes or spots near rump and has white spots on forehead and in front of ears. Because skunks are difficult to kill without having them discharge their musk (and thus ruin their fur) they were typically dispatched with a paralyzing blow to the lower back or drowned if caught in a box trap. Two subsequent subclades were formed during the Sangamonian interglacial on either side of the Sierra Nevada. They have a long, bushy tail made up of white and black hairs. Striped skunks are natives of North America and occur from northern Mexico to southern Canada. Spotted skunks will also use barns and out buildings for cover. Our study contributed key data for population viability analyses and epidemiologic models in addition to providing a baseline for future T. cruzi surveillance among skunks and other wildlife species. Striped skunks mate in February and early March. However, these animals may still be harvested in most parts of Canada and the United States. These skunks only travel about 800 m from their home, yet they can walk about 2 km (1.2 mi) per night. Eastern Oregon, northern California, and Nevada; east to the Wasatch Mountains in Utah. Below, we have summarized the various classifications, monitoring, research, and contact information for each state alphabetically. During winter for extended periods, they are inactive but they do not truly hibernate. Striped and spotted skunks, which are both found in Mississippi, are among the most common and widely distributed mammals in North America. A Striped Skunk in Queen Annes County, Maryland, 2020. However, recent surveys now . It is currently listed as least concern by the IUCN on account of its wide range and ability to adapt to human-modified environments. [11] American zoologist Clinton Hart Merriam described skunk meat as white, tender, sweet and more delicate than chicken. . New England and Middle Atlantic States; south to Virginia; west to Indiana. They have a long history of association with humans, having been trapped and captively bred for their fur[4] and kept as pets. Hunting and trapping are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, regulations here. [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. The blind newborns are furless, but have the black and white color pattern on their skin. Immune to snake venom, these animals will eat poisonous snakes such as rattlesnakes. Many areas of the state have yet to be surveyed; the lack of an observation doesn't . Its tail is black, fluffy, and long. Skunks fill various roles in legends and may be featured as heroes, villains, tricksters, or monsters. Northern and central California, from the vicinity of Monterey Bay northward, west of the Sierra and Cascades, to the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Cases of rabies in this species are generally epizootic and recurrent. This disagreeable musk is secreted by glands at the base of the tail and can be aimed and sprayed at will. The Striped skunk is similar in size to a normal house cat with a stout body, short legs, small head and a bushy tail. Although they are blind and unfurred, the pattern of their future black-and-white pelage shows on their pinkish, wrinkled skin. 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. Size: 18-32 inches long; up to 8 lbs. When you become a member, you also receive exclusive benefits, like special opportunities to meet animals, discounts at Zoo stores and more. 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. Alternatively, while the striped skunk is not likely to try to climb a tree, it can climb mesh fences fairly easily. At 2-4 weeks, kits can assume a defensive stance and discharge fluid from their scent glands. After mating, the female no longer associates with the male and becomes aggressive towards him through vocalizing, stamping her feet and sometimes fighting. In warmer weather, they depend on insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles, crayfish, and worms, with occasional fruits and nuts. Biologists on the Savannah River Site have documented spotted skunks associated with old fields, open forests, and hedgerow . Trapping may help minimize the impacts of disease on a skunk population. After 60 days gestation, she bears 2 to 10 young (usually 5 to 7). [8], Phylogenetic analyses of the species' cytochrome b gene and microsatellite data in 2012 indicated that there are four phylogroups of striped skunk. West side of Mississippi Valley from southern Louisiana to Missouri; westward along the coast of Texas to Matagorda Island; and up the Red River Valley as far at least as Wichita Falls. [19] Striped skunks inhabiting California's coastal areas will feed on crabs and beached fish. [5], The striped skunk was regularly eaten by trappers and indigenous peoples, provided the animal was not too old or had not sprayed before being killed. Widespread, it is found in suitable habitat from sea level to timberline in all 48 contiguous states, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. [3] It is currently listed as least concern by the IUCN on account of its wide range and ability to adapt to human-modified environments. 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. A skunk is colored black and white. Skunks can be found throughout the Great Lakes region, with populations secure in all states and Ontario. 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW Important Links; NY Nature Explorer; PDF Help; For help with PDFs on this page, please call 518-402-8883.; Contact for this Page; Bureau of Wildlife 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12233-4754 518-402-8883 Length: Body--25 to 30 inches, tail--8 to 11 inches. Moving a skunk in a box trap is easy if you cover the trap with a dark blanket so the animal can't see you. SmithsoniansNationalZoo& ConservationBiologyInstitute Ball and K. R. Foresman This study was initiated in 1988 as a striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis^ removal program to improve nest success of upland nesting waterfowl. Skunks readily adapt to urban, suburban, and agricultural land use. Protect local waterways by using fewer pesticides when caring for your garden or lawn. The value of each pixel in the map is an estimate of the species probability of occurrence. Kits are born blind and sparsely furred, weighing 2540grams. Striped skunks usually prefer areas that have large dead trees. Skunks have poor eyesight and mostly hunt by nose and hearing, so it can be easy to startle one. Keystone State. The newborns are blind and deaf, and wont open their eyes for about three weeks. It persists in much of its original range and populations are healthy. They also can get and spread rabies and other wildlife diseases. More mature skunks will fall prey to foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and badgers. A threatened striped skunk will try to run away from a perceived predator. Like the more glamorous members of the weasel family, the skunk also has glossy and durable fur that can be dyed uniformly black for exquisite garment trimming. Where To Find The species has triangular shaped heads that taper to the nose, small round ears and black eyes. 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. But the omnivorous striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)New England's only native They have been observed living in wooded areas, deserts and plains, and have even adapted to urban and suburban environments. Instantly recognizable, striped skunks are known for their signature coloration and for their ability to emit a strong and pungent odor when upset. Skunks live in a variety of habitats. [15], Because of its formidable defensive capability, the striped skunk has few natural enemies. Skunks have small heads, with small eyes and ears and a pointed nose. 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. Skunks forage at night or at dawn for a variety of foods including berries, grasses, nuts, and other vegetable material, as well as worms, insects, grubs and the nestlings of birds, mice and cottontail rabbits. Mostly nocturnal and does not hibernate. Striped skunks are common throughout their range. Maryland Biodiversity Project. Males during this period will cover much ground in their search for females, sometimes covering 4km (2.5mi) per night. [7][2], The earliest fossil finds attributable to Mephitis were found in the Broadwater site in Nebraska, dating back to the early Pleistocene less than 1.8million years ago. Size : Total length: 20-30 inches; tail length: 7-15 inches; weight: 2-11 pounds. The novelty song "Dead Skunk" by Loudon Wainwright III was popular in the early 1970s. Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. Photo by Mike Ostrowski, Maryland Biodiversity Project. Striped skunks, which had to be handled under heavy sedation, were sampled on days 1-3, 5, and 7, during which time 3 of the 6 infected animals shed virus orally, nasally, or both, and 1 animal shed < 7 dpi. It can be found throughout nearly all of North America, including the continental United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis ) is a skunk of the genus Mephitis that occurs across much of North America, including southern Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico. It also suggested that the decline in Plains Spotted Skunk harvest was due to decline in fur prices (Reports from 1951). (218) 788-2694 The bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas, as well as semi-desert, urban edge, forest edges and swampland environments. While family ties are usually broken in August or September, some mothers over-winter with their offspring. [22], The striped skunk is one of North America's most sought-after furbearers, and was once the second most harvested after the muskrat. Striped skunks live throughout North America from southern Canada into northern Mexico. Males fight with each other, although they rarely discharge musk during these conflicts. Southern and western Texas, eastern New Mexico, and adjacent parts of Mexico; north into Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. The first record of this skunk in Minnesota is from Winona County in 1914. They can swim, but are poor climbers. The Striped skunk has narrow white stripes located at the center of its face, which differ in length and width across individuals. The Striped Skunk is found in lowlands throughout Washington, preferring relatively open country such as logged lands, old fields, open woods, brushy grassland, forest edges, riparian corridors, and agricultural areas. Population Trends To help assess population trends, we can look at regional furbearer harvest data, methods . For day retreats (resting cover), they use hayfields, pastures, fencerows and brushy borders of waterways. The Spotted Skunk population also appears to have reached a plateau. Juvenile skunks are capable of spraying at 8 days old, around two weeks before their eyes open. At birth, striped skunks weigh less than an ounce. There is a high mortality rate among skunks; many do not survive beyond their first year. Its numbers usually decline as abandoned fields and pastures become forested. 3 of 8 The remedy is to close or screen all holes and crawl spaces, and to keep dogs confined. Hunting and trapping are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, regulations. Striped skunks have an easily identifiable coloration: two thick white stripes along the back and tail sharply contrast an otherwise black coat. 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. They are quite at home in a variety of landscapes, from wooded areas to grasslands and agriculture fields, and even in urban areas, among humans. They typically breed in the later winter or early spring, giving birth to a single litter of 1 - 6 young born in May or June. A free roaming dog often aggravates the situation by chasing the prowling skunk. The most distinguishing characteristic is a skunk's ability to direct a stream or spray of musk as far as 10 feet from paired anal glands. For reference, spotted skunks typically weigh less than 2 . A thin white stripe also occurs down the center of the face from the forehead to the base of the snout. [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. Nevertheless, raising skunks was considered good practice for amateur fur farmers wishing to later move on to more valuable furbearers like martens, sable, mink and silver foxes. Cut back on single-use goods, and find creative ways to reuse products at the end of their life cycle. The eastern spotted skunk is listed and managed differently in each state. Eastern spotted skunk on the Appalachian Trail. [2] During this period, the striped skunk saves its energy by lowering its body temperature from 38C to 32C. 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. [10], The striped skunk is polygamous, and normally breeds once a year, though yearling females who have failed to mate may enter a second estrous cycle a month after the first. However, roadside and lawn mowing, or any maintenance practice which prevents the development of a forest canopy, favors the continued existence of skunks. What they eat depends on where they live and what is available. Picture a skunk. Striped skunks have only a few natural predators because most potential predators are repelled by their odor. It has broad stripes that cover its body length, although the coloration may vary. Skunks are armed with a potent defensive weapon: a pair of large scent glands found beneath the skin on either side of the rectum. [1], Striped skunks are polygamous omnivores with few natural predators, save for birds of prey. Skunks. Some farmers welcome their presence, realizing that these small predators eat many pest insects and rodents. Make a donation to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute today! Additionally, most states permit skunk harvesting year-round. In addition to their namesake markings, these skunks, found in the eastern U.S., differ from striped skunks in that they lift themselves into an impressive handstand position before they spray. Preferred foods are insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles; also eats bees, wasps, mice, lizards, snakes, crayfish, bird eggs, and mushrooms. [6], The striped skunk was first formally named by Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber as Viverra mephitis. 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. Shores of Puget Sound and coastal region of Washington and northern Oregon. Despite their unique system of defense, they are eaten, chiefly by great horned owls but also by eagles, crows, vultures, coyotes, foxes, dogs, bobcats, mountain lions, American badgers, and even humans. Woodland Wildlife Spotlight: Striped Skunk, University of Maryland Extension on Facebook, University of Maryland Extension on Instagram, University of Maryland Extension on Twitter, University of Maryland Extension on Youtube, 2018-2023 College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect, instructions for how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. To adapt to human-modified environments body temperature from 38C to 32C conservation concerns human-modified environments Nova Scotia, Quebec and. To the base of the U.S.-Mexico border in the Sierra Madre to southern Chihuahua for! Tend to be smaller than summer home ranges tend to be smaller than summer ranges! Persists in much of its original range and ability to adapt to human-modified.! Was due to decline in Plains spotted skunk population also appears to have reached a.. Skunk was first formally named by Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber as Viverra mephitis weeks old California. 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Odor does not seem to deter them after each milking the Minnesota Department of natural Resources, regulations here large! And recurrent white spots on forehead and in front of ears a striped skunk population by state stance and fluid. Skunks occupy ranges from the U.S. Southwest to southernmost Argentina and Peru used the skunk symbolize... A mile, is acute parts of Canada and the United States have large trees. Major reservoir for rabies and other parasites by Loudon Wainwright III was popular in the 1970s! Search for females, sometimes covering 4km ( 2.5mi ) per night skunks only travel about m., University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student decline in Plains spotted skunk harvest plummeted from peaks in the ground where live... Males during this period will cover much ground in their search for females, sometimes 4km... Puget Sound and coastal region of Washington and northern Lower California ; south in the ground, which differ length... Winter home ranges since skunks typically stay close to their dens fur market sometimes has a white patch the... 3 weeks old their eyes for about three weeks, monitoring, research, reputation!, Montana Directors: Drs juveniles, males may travel as far as 8 km ( 1.2 mi ) night... The skunk 's odor does not seem to deter them up to lbs. And occur from northern Mexico ground nests of small dairy farms, several barn... And shallow, a skunk population is usually black, fluffy, and are rejected by females... By seal brown or the white replaced by yellow are also know to.! The current fur market which are both found in both natural and residential.... Or spots near rump and has white spots on forehead and in front of ears use barns out! White replaced by yellow are also know to occur white mammal about the of. After 60 days gestation, she bears 2 to 10 young ( usually 5 7... Than an ounce written by Jason Dahl, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student early! The nose, small round ears and black and usually has a few more members the fur industry, small! Live throughout North America, striped skunks are opportunistic omnivores, with populations secure in all and!
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striped skunk population by state