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Skunk

Striped Skunk Facts

Size 20-30 inches (52-77 cm)
Speed Up to 10 mph (16 km/h)
Weight 4-10 pounds (1,8-4,5 kg)
Lifespan 3 years
Food Fish, fruit, seeds, grasses
Predators Owls, coyotes, wild cats
Habitat North and Central America/td>
Order Carnivore
Family Skunks
Scientific name Mephitidae
Characteristics Small predator, black and white fur, releases a bad smell

Main Characteristics

Skunks are small predators. Their most eye-catching features are their black and white fur and their bushy tail. When threatened, they spray a foul smelling liquid at their attacker. The best known is the striped skunk.

Skunk Skunk - Photo: Jeremy Richards/Shutterstock

Species

There are 15 species in total. The striped skunk is the most well-known. The skunk family also includes the spotted skunks, American hog-nosed skunks and stink badgers.


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Distribution and Habitat

Skunks are found in North and Central America, while stink badgers inhabit Asia, and spotted skunks are native to South America. As a habitat they prefer steppes, semi-deserts, bushland, grassland and open forests.

Life Style

Skunks are active at dusk and at night. They are solitary animals and use caves and hollow trunks as a place of refuge.

Skunk Characteristics Skunk Characteristics - Photo: Heiko Kiera/Shutterstock

Anatomy and Appearance

Size and Weight

A skunk is about the size and weight of a house cat. Their body length is 20-30 inches (52-77 cm). Their tail is 7-15 inches (18-40 cm) long. Their weight is 4-10 pounds (1.8-4.5 kg).

Fur

Skunks are recognizable by their distinct black and white fur, which is sharply contrasted. The striped skunk has a prominent white stripe that extends from its head to the tail. Additionally, there are spotted varieties, like the spotted skunk, that showcase a different pattern.


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Scent Glands

Skunks possess anal scent glands that release a foul-smelling liquid.

Paws

Skunks have powerful paws with long claws. They use them to dig for prey.

Skunk vs. Badger - What's the Difference? Skunk vs. Badger - What's the Difference? - Photo: Goeffrey Kuchera (left), Ondrej Prosicky (right)/Shutterstock

Diet

Skunks are carnivores. They feed primarily on rodents, but also on birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects. They usually prey on animals that are smaller than themselves.

Skunk Skunk - Photo: Mircea Costina/stock.adobe.com

Skunk Spray

Scent Glands

Skunks possess one scent gland on each side of the anus. They contain 0.5 ounces (15 ml) of a yellow, oily liquid.

What Does the Liquid Smell Like?

The musky liquid smells like a mix of garlic, sulfur, burnt rubber and rotten eggs. The striped skunk holds the record for the smelliest “perfume”.

How Far Can a Skunk Spray?

How far can skunks spray? Some believe their range is about 10 feet (3 meters), while others argue it can reach up to 20 feet (6 meters). The scent can still be sensed from a distance of 2.4 miles (4 km).

What Happens If I Get Sprayed?

The liquid has a terrible smell. However, if you get sprayed, it can even get worse. If you get sprayed in the eyes, the liquid can cause temporary blindness. If ingested by accident, it may result in vomiting and even loss of consciousness.

Skunk Smell in Clothes

If the skunk has hit clothing, all you can do is throw it away. The smell can't be removed no matter how often you wash the clothes. The smell also lasts on the skin for days without getting weaker.

Skunk Attack Skunk Attack - Photo: Agnieszka Bacal/Shutterstock

Behavior

Defense Behavior

When skunks sense danger, they raise their tails as a warning. If this signal is ignored, they will stand on their front legs and curve their bodies into a U-shape, with their head and tail directed at the attacker. They also display their teeth, indicating they are ready to defend themselves, making it often too late to flee.

Do They Spray Each Other?

You may think that skunks spray each other during confrontations, perhaps while competing for a mate. However, this behavior has not been observed in the wild yet.

Are Skunks Aggressive?

Skunks are generally gentle and peaceful creatures. They are also cautious about using their defensive spray, as it takes them several days to replenish the fluid in their glands.

Are Skunks Dangerous?

Skunks don't kill cats, dogs, chickens, or other animals as large or larger than themselves.They steer clear of larger animals and choose to flee when faced with an uncomfortable situation. When they feel threatened and have no other option, they release their foul-smelling liquid. They also defend themselves by biting or scratching. Both people and animals can become infected with rabies by this.

Skunk Family Skunk Family - Photo: Evelyn/stock.adobe.com

Senses and Abilities

Snake Venom

Skunks are immune to snake venom. It would require ten times the venom that would kill a similarly sized creature for it to actually be fatal.

Senses

Skunks have poor eyesight and are quite nearsighted, but they make up for it with an amazing sense of smell and hearing.

Climbing

Skunks aren't the best at climbing since their long claws aren't really made for it. Still, they can surprisingly scale wire mesh fences and climb up walls that offer enough support.

Swimming

Skunks are capable of swimming, but their short limbs make it tough for them to navigate in water. They typically only take a dip when absolutely necessary.

Skunk Skunk - Photo: Mircea Costina/stock.adobe.com

Life Expectancy

Skunks live about three years. In the wild, only 10% survive their first winter. As pets, they can live up to 15 years.

Enemies and Threats

Natural Predators

Skunks have very few enemies. In rare cases, they are attacked by hungry pumas, coyotes, bobcats, badgers and foxes. The only animal that often goes after this "smelly prey" is the American great horned owl. It doesn't mind the stinky stuff at all. The reason is pretty clear: it doesn't have a strong sense of smell.

Diseases

In the wild, skunks often die from rabies.

Human Impact

Skunks are frequently targeted for their fur, and unfortunately for them, they are quite easy to catch.

Are They Endangered?

Skunks are generally not considered threatened. However, two species are listed as endangered: the eastern spotted skunk and the pygmy spotted skunk.

Reproduction

Skunks have offspring once a year. Usually 5-6 babies are born between mid-May and early June. At first they are blind and naked. After six months they're already independent and can go their own way.

Baby Skunks (Kits) Baby Skunks (Kits) - Photo: Betty Shelton/Shutterstock

Do Skunks Make Good Pets?

Currently, it is permitted to keep a skunk as a pet in 17 states in the USA. In Germany you can own a skunk, too. However, permits are necessary in many states, and the animals require a lot of space along with constant mental stimulation. Proper care for them is often challenging, leading to stress and potential aggression in the animals. Additionally, they rarely become tame. In the USA the scent glands are often removed surgically. However, in Germany, it's prohibited to do this, which means there's always a chance of unpleasant odors permeating the home. While the idea of having an exotic pet can be appealing, skunks aren't a good choice.

Fun Facts

In the Disney animated series “Looney Tunes” (starring Bugs Bunny), there is a skunk named Pepé.

The Skunk Is Related To:

Animals in the Same Biome:


Related Articles:


Carnivore Species Fact Sheets


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