Striped Skunk
Mephitis mephitis
Skunks are highly resistant to snake venom and can spray their defensive musk accurately up to 15 feet from dual anal glands.
- Scientific name
- Mephitis mephitis
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Mammalia › Carnivora › Mephitidae › Mephitis
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Mixed woodlands, brushy fields, agricultural areas, and suburban neighborhoods
- Diet
- Omnivorous, feeding on insects, grubs, small rodents, bird eggs, berries, and human refuse
- Range
- Canada, United States, Northern Mexico
- Size
- 50-75 cm (20-30 in) in length; 1.5-6 kg (3.3-13 lbs) in weight
- Lifespan
- 2-3 years in the wild, up to 10 years in captivity
- Active
- nocturnal
- Threats
- Vehicular collisions, domestic dog attacks, rodenticide poisoning, and habitat fragmentation
- Safe to approach?
- Defensive. If encountered, keep a safe distance of at least 15 feet. Watch for warning signs: stamping front feet, raising the tail, or hissing. Back away slowly and quietly without sudden movements. If sprayed, wash skin and eyes immediately with water; for clothes and pets, use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap. If bitten, seek immediate medical attention due to rabies risk.
The striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis ) is a skunk of the genus Mephitis that is native to southern Canada, the United States and northern Mexico. It is currently listed as least concern by the IUCN on account of its wide range and ability to adapt to human-modified environments.
Photo: Daderot, no known copyright restrictions (public domain), PD, via iNaturalist
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