Skunks

1.

2.

3.

4.

skunk - скунс
[skʌŋk]
stink badger - свиной
[stɪŋk ˈbæʤə]
барсук
Sunda stink badger –
Яванский свиной
барсук
[ˈsʌndeɪ stɪŋk ˈbæʤə]

5.

Palawan stink badger -
[pɑːˈlɑːwɑːn stɪŋk ˈbæʤə]
Палаванский вонючий
барсук
Molina's hog-nosed
skunk - свинорылый
[məˈliːnɪ'es hɒg-nəʊzd
skʌŋk]
скунс
Patagonian hog-nosed
skunk – Патагонский
свинорылый скунс
[pætəˈgəʊnɪən hɒg-nəʊzd
skʌŋk]

6.

American hog-nosed
skunk – Американский
[əˈmerɪkən hɒg-nəʊzd
skʌŋk]
свинорылый скунс
striped hog-nosed
skunk – полосатый
[straɪpt hɒg-nəʊzd skʌŋk]
свинорылый скунс
southern spotted
skunk - южный
пятнистый скунс
[ˈsʌðən ˈspɒtɪd skʌŋk]

7.

western spotted skunk
[ˈwestən ˈspɒtɪd skʌŋk]
- западный пятнистый
скунс
eastern spotted skunk -
[ˈiːstən ˈspɒtɪd skʌŋk]
восточный пятнистый
скунс
pygmy spotted skunk карликовый
пятнистый скунс
[ˈpɪgmɪ ˈspɒtɪd skʌŋk]

8.

hooded skunk –
[ˈhʊdɪd skʌŋk]
Мексиканский скунс
striped skunk полосатый скунс
[straɪpt skʌŋk]

9.

Skunk

10.

Stink badger

11.

Mephitidae is a family of mammals comprising the skunks and stink badgers. They
are noted for the great development of their anal scent glands, which they use to deter
predators. Skunks were formerly classified as a subfamily of the Mustelidae (the
weasel family); however, recent genetic evidence has caused skunks to be treated as a
separate family. Similarly, the stink badgers had been classified with badgers, but
genetic evidence shows they share a more recent common ancestor with skunks, so
they are now included in the skunk family. A 2017 study using retroposon markers
indicated that they are most closely related to the Ailuridae (red pandas and allies)
and Procyonidae (raccoons and allies).
There are twelve extant species of mephitids in four genera: Conepatus (hog-nosed
skunks, four species); Mephitis (the hooded and striped skunks, two species);
Mydaus (stink badgers, two species); and Spilogale (spotted skunks, four species).
The two stink badgers in the genus Mydaus inhabit Indonesia and the Philippines;
the other members of the family inhabit the Americas, ranging from Canada to
central South America. All other mephitids are extinct, known through fossils,
including those from Eurasia.

12.

Sunda stink badger

13.

The Sunda stink badger, also called the Javan stink badger, teledu, Malay stink
badger, Malay badger, Indonesian stink badger and Sunda skunk, is a mammal
native to Indonesia and Malaysia. Despite the common name, stink badgers are not
closely related to true badgers, and are, instead, Old World relatives of the skunks.
Sunda stink badgers have a similar body shape to badgers, but are significantly
smaller, being 37 to 52 cm in total length, and weighing from 1.3 to 3.6 kg. Their fur is
coarse, and black or very dark brown over most of the body, with a white stripe
running from the top of the head to the tail. The tail is short, measuring about 3.6 cm,
and is covered in pure white fur. The width of the stripe varies considerably between
individuals, but is usually narrow, and may be discontinuous. As the name indicates,
stink badgers have an anal scent gland that secretes a foul-smelling substance, which
the animal can spray up to 15 cm. Females have six teats.
Named for the Sunda Islands, Sunda stink badgers are found in Java, Sumatra,
Borneo, and the northern Natuna Islands. Sunda stink badgers can be found across a
wide variety of habitats, including forest edges or areas of secondary forest.
Historically, they were thought to be restricted to high elevations of over 2,000 m, and
only rarely on lowland plains. This is now known not to be true, and more recent
surveys have shown Sunda stink-badgers are often found in elevations well below
2000m. Sunda stink badgers have been reported as low as 250 m above sea level on
Java, at relatively low elevations in Sarawak., and have even been recorded at
elevations as low as 10m in the Lower Kinabatangan floodplains, Sabah, Borneo at
seemingly high densities.

14.

Sunda stink badgers are omnivorous and highly nocturnal. The animal portion of
their diet consists of invertebrates, eggs, and carrion. At night, they root through soft
soil using their snout and claws, searching for worms and ground-dwelling insects.
During the day, they sleep in short burrows, less than 60 cm in length, which they
may either dig themselves or take over from other animals, such as porcupines. They
have been reported to give birth to litters of two or three young.

15.

Palawan stink badger

16.

The Palawan stink badger, or pantot, is a carnivoran of the western Philippines
named for its resemblance to badgers, its powerful smell, and the largest island to
which it is native, Palawan. Like all stink badgers, the Palawan stink badger was once
thought to share a more recent common ancestor with badgers than with skunks.
Recent genetic evidence, however, has led to their re-classification as one of the
Mephitidae, the skunk family of mammals. It is the size of a large skunk or small
badger, and uses its badger-like body to dig by night for invertebrates in open areas
near patches of brush. While it lacks the whitish dorsal patches typical of its closest
relatives, predators and hunters generally avoid the powerful noxious chemicals it
can spray from the specialized anal glands characteristic of mephitids.
Although smaller than true badgers, the Palawan stink badger is one of the larger
members of the skunk family, the Mephitidae. Adults measure 32 to 46 cm in length,
about the same size as the striped skunk native to North America, and weigh
anything from 0.85 to 2.5 kg. In physical appearance, however, they more closely
resemble badgers than skunks. They have a pointed snout with a mobile nose, and a
stocky body with short and powerful limbs bearing sharply recurved claws. The tail
is very short in comparison to the body, measuring only 1.5 to 4.5 cm, and lacking the
bushy fur of many skunks. The ears are almost invisible, with only vestigial pinnae,
and the eyes are also relatively small.

17.

The fur is dark brown to black over most of the body, fading to a more brownish
colour on the underparts. There are also scattered white hairs across the back and over
the forehead, but not the white stripe and head-patch found on the closely related
Sunda stink badger. Compared with its sister species, the Palawan stink badger is
also slightly smaller, with larger teeth and longer fur. Females have six teats.
Palawan stink badgers live on the Philippine island of Palawan, and also on the
neighbouring islands of Busuanga and Calauit. They live primarily in the grasslands
and cultivated areas on these islands, and use local shrubs for shelter.
The Palawan stink badger was described as "surprisingly common" in the 1970's,
however, it is now considered a vulnerable species by the IUCN . It is unclear
whether loss of habitat is adversely affecting M. marchei populations, but being an
endemic species that only habitat two islands, its conservation is definitely a concern.
At this time, there does not appear to be any Philippine law protecting the badger,
nor is there any conservation work concerning this species being conducted at this
time.

18.

Palawan stink badgers are nocturnal, and feed mainly on invertebrates, such as
freshwater crabs and small insects, which they dig out of the ground with their long
claws. They are good diggers, and may spend the day in excavated dens. They may
travel up to 2 km in search of food, and are reported to mark their territory with scent.
They are slow moving, and not particularly aggressive, either freezing or emitting a
warning snarl when threatened.
Like skunks, Palawan stink badgers possess anal scent glands that emit a pungent
yellowish liquid. They are able to spray the liquid up to a metre, and the scent is said
to be strong enough to be smelled up to a mile away. The stink badgers rely almost
entirely on this powerful odour for their defence, and are among the few wild
animals not eaten by the local farmers.

19.

Molina's hog-nosed skunk

20.

Molina's hog-nosed skunk, also called the Andes skunk, is a skunk species from
South America. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Uruguay, at
elevations up to 5000 m.
The Molina's hog-nosed skunk's native range is throughout mid to southern South
America, Chile, Peru, northern Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and southern
Brazil. The mammal is therefore associated with temperate regions and open areas,
mainly described as the Pampas biomeand preferring to live in open vegetation,
shrub forest and rocky sloped areas.
Typically they will live alone in an average home range size of about 1.66
individuals/km² with some overlapping and about six skunks per 3.5 km². Although
living in mostly solitary areas, the skunks will come together temporarily for mating
purposes.
Foraging mainly at night, the skunk is omnivorous eating birds, small mammals,
eggs, insects, leaves, and fruit. The tooth morphology in the Molina's hog-nosed
skunk, is different from most mammals in that their teeth are adapted to their
omnivorous diet with grinding being the main function of the carnassial apparatus.

21.

Patagonian hog-nosed skunk

22.

Humboldt's hog-nosed skunk, also known as the Patagonian hog-nosed skunk, is a
type of hog-nosed skunk indigenous to the open grassy areas in the Patagonian
regions of South Argentina and Chile. It belongs to the order Carnivora and the
family Mephitidae.
This skunk is small and stocky, with a bare nose elongated for the purpose of finding
ground beetles, grasshoppers and crickets. Its fur is brownish-red with two
symmetrical stripes on either side, extending to the tail. It ranges from 30–34 cm in
body length, with a 17- to 21-cm tail. They usually weigh 1.5 to 3.0 kg. The skunk has
long claws and well developed forelimbs in order to dig to locate prey.
Its teeth are specialized for the consumption of invertebrates and fruit, their lower
molars are adapted for crushing such resistant foods. Similar adaptation of the molars
is seen in the South American gray fox. Like all South American hog-nosed skunks, it
is smaller with a more primitive skull and tooth structure than North American
skunks.
There is high pressure from intraguild predation on Humboldt's hog-nosed skunks. It
is often preyed upon and targeted competitively by larger carnivorans such as the
culpeo, chilla fox, Geoffrey's cat, pampas cat, Andean cat, and puma. It, however, is
unlikely to target other carnivorans.

23.

Humboldt's hog-nosed skunks are omnivorous, feeding primarily on insects but also
on vertebrate prey, such as rodents and carrion during winters, when insects are less
abundant. Patagonian hog nosed skunks have also been known to eat fruit.
Unlike other South American carnivorans, it is less effected by competition from
increased dietary homogenization in areas where native prey species have gone
extinct due to its largely strictly insectivorous diet.
Humboldt's hog-nosed skunks are crepuscular, active primarily at dawn and twilight.
It does little in the way of active hunting, selecting prey that is easiest to capture.
During the winter seasons, it shifts from its open grassy habitats to shrubs, forests,
and mountainous areas as insect populations decline to seek alternative food sources.

24.

American hog-nosed skunk

25.

The American hog-nosed skunk is a species of hog-nosed skunk from Central and
North America, and is one of the largest skunks in the world, growing to lengths of
up to 2.7 feet. Recent work has concluded the western hog-nosed skunk is the same
species, and Conepatus leuconotus is the correct name of the merged populations.
In Texas, it is commonly known as the rooter skunk for its habit of rooting and
overturning rocks and debris in search of food.
The distinguishing feature of the American hog-nosed skunk is it has a single, broad
white stripe from the top of the head to the base of the tail, with the tail itself being
completely white. It is the only skunk that lacks a white dot or medial bar between
the eyes and has primarily black body fur. The snout of C. leuconotus is relatively
long, with a naked nose pad, and resembles the nose of a small hog. The nose pad (20
mm wide by 25 mm long) is about three times wider than that of Mephitis mephitis.
The ears are small and rounded, and the eyes are relatively small. The fur is short and
coarse.
The American hog-nosed skunk has stocky legs and plantigrade feet (the entire sole
of the foot touches the ground). Its hind feet are broad and large with soles that are
naked for about one-half their length. Its upper body is powerfully built, and the fore
claws are very long. Length can range from 44.4–93.4 cm and weight is typically 1,130–
4,500 g.

26.

The striped skunk can broadly overlap in size with this species, but in comparison
the striped, has a shorter head-and-body length and a longer tail than the hog-nosed
skunk. Males of this species average about 10% larger than females.
The American hog-nosed skunk is adapted for digging, and resembles badgers rather
than other species of skunks in this respect. The rectangular-shaped scapula, strong
forearms, and shape of the humeri of its resemble those of badgers. The nostrils are
located ventrally and open downward. Their sense of smell is acute, and the nose is
used in locating and capturing buried prey. This skunk species also is a capable
climber, although not as agile as the spotted skunks of the genus Spilogale.
It breeds from late February through early March; most adult females are pregnant by
the end of March. Typically, gestation lasts about 60 days. Birth occurs in April and
May. Half-grown young have been observed in late July and mid-August, and by late
August young begin to disperse. The litter size is one to five young, although two to
four are most common

27.

This species occurs in canyons, stream sides, and rocky terrain. It has been collected
in a variety of habitats in Mexico, including open desert-scrub and mesquitegrasslands, tropical areas, mountains, coastal plains, cornfields surrounded by
brushland or adjacent to grassy plains and thickets of bull-horn acacia, thorn
woodland, and riparian forests, characterized by live-oaks, pecans, sycamores, and
Texas persimmons and an understory of briars, grasses, and weeds. It also has been
found in pine–oak forest and in scrub and cacti. In Kleberg County, Texas, C.
leuconotus occurs in mesquite-brushland, pastures, and native grassland, used
exclusively for cattle ranching. Thorny brush and cactus are the predominant
vegetation in the region of southern Texas where this species occurs.
It is omnivorous, feeding primarily on insects and vegetation, though it
small mammals and reptiles when available. While sometimes considered
crop farmers due to their rooting habits, this is largely misplaced, as it
prefers insects to agricultural plants. Like all skunk species, it possesses
anal glands used to deter would-be attackers.
will take
a pest by
generally
powerful

28.

Striped hog-nosed skunk

29.

The striped hog-nosed skunk is a skunk species from Central and South America
(from southern Mexico to northern Peru, and in the extreme east of Brazil). This
species of skunk is considered a generalist species, because they are able to thrive in,
and withstand, disturbed environmental conditions. They can live in a wide range of
habitats, including carrasco, arboreal caatinga , mango orchard, and dry forest scrub
and occasionally, in rainforest.
The striped hog-nosed skunk inhabits mainly the foothills, and partly timbered or
brushy, sections of their general range. They usually avoid hot desert areas and heavy
stands of timber. The largest populations occur in rocky, sparsely timbered areas.
It is a nocturnal solitary animal, feeding mainly on invertebrates, small vertebrates
and fruits. When temperature rises during the day, Conepatus semistriatus finds
shelter in cool burrows and rests to maintain its body temperature and prevent water
loss. Although C. semistriatus are predominantly nocturnal, studies show there is no
significant correlation between brightness and activity.

30.

Southern spotted skunk

31.

The southern spotted skunk is a species of mammal in the skunk family,. It ranges
from Costa Rica to southern Mexico. At one time this skunk was considered to be a
subspecies of the eastern spotted skunk.
The southern spotted skunk grows to a length of 34 cm with a tail length of 23 cm and
weighs between 0.5 and 1 kilogram. It is conspicuously coloured in black and white
and resembles the western spotted skunk in appearance. It has anal glands beneath
the tail which secrete musk which can be sprayed with considerable accuracy at a
predator.
The southern spotted skunk is native to Central America where its range includes
Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Belize. It is
present at altitudes of up to 300 metres in dry rocky areas with scrub and open
woodland, and also in agricultural areas
The southern spotted skunk is nocturnal and secretive in its habits. It climbs trees but
mainly searches for food on the ground for the small mammals, insects, birds, eggs,
grain and fruit on which it feeds.

32.

Western spotted skunk

33.

The western spotted skunk is a spotted skunk of western North America.
With a total length of 35–45 cm, the western spotted skunk is smaller than the striped
skunk. Males, which weigh 336 to 734 g, are significantly heavier than females, at 227
to 482 g, but only about 6% longer, on average. The adult is boldly striped black and
creamy white, with three longitudinal stripes on each side of the front part of the
body, and three vertical stripes on the hind-parts. One pair of longitudinal stripes
runs either side of the spine, with the second pair running over the shoulders, and
extending forward onto the face. The third pair is lower over the shoulders, and
curves downward at the middle of the body to form the first pair of vertical stripes.
Behind this, the second pair of vertical stripes rise from the knees to the rump, while
the final stripes are often little more than spots. In special cases, the normally black
areas of the fur can appear in shades of red or brown, and areas of the skunk that
traditionally appear white may appear in shades of gray or yellow, it is still unclear as
to what causes the variation in color.
The ears are short and rounded, while the face is marked with a white spot between
the eyes, and a white patch below each ear. The animal has a conspicuously large,
long-haired tail, measuring 10 to 16 cm. The hair on the tail is mostly black, but is
white at the tip, and sometimes also on the upper surface. The claws on the fore-feet
are longer, and more curved, than those on the hind feet. The western spotted skunk's
unique black and white pattern of spots and stripes and its small size make them
differentiate them from regular stripped skunks.

34.

As with other related species, western spotted skunks possess a pair of large musk
glands that open just inside the anus, and which can spray their contents through
muscular action. The musk is similar to that of striped skunks, but contains 2phenylethanethiol as an additional component, and lacks some of the compounds
produced by the other species. These differences are said to give western spotted
skunk musk a more pungent odor, but not to spread as widely as that of striped
skunks.
The western spotted skunk is found throughout the western United States, northern
Mexico, and southwestern British Columbia. Their habitat is mixed woodlands, open
areas, and farmlands. Their preferred areas of occupation differ greatly depending on
what resources are available in the immediate area. In areas such as Idaho and
Washington, they prefer riparian areas that have brush thickets in which to hide and
forage. In contrast, members of the species that live in areas such as eastern Oregon or
northern Mexico can often be found near cliffs and canyons.
Western spotted skunks are nocturnal omnivores, feeding on insects, scorpions, small
vertebrates, (such as mice, voles, other rodents, rabbit kits, small birds, small reptiles
and amphibians), roots, grains, fruit, and berries. Common insects eaten include
beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars. However, they have been found to consume
prey as large as the ashy storm petrel. They also feed on eggs and carrion. Populations
close to these animals often have decreased pest populations. They have even been
reported to consume scorpions in the southwest.

35.

Golden eagles are among their few predators. They spend the day in dens, and are
usually solitary, although sometimes two or three females will share a single burrow.
Males remain solitary during the winter.
Western spotted skunks will attempt to build reserves of fat before winter. While
they do not engage in true hibernation, they may sleep for several weeks during the
winter. During this time, females may den in groups that have been observed as large
as 20.
When threatened, western spotted skunks display threat behavior, stamping their
fore-feet before raising their hind parts in the air and showing their conspicuous
warning coloration. While they can spray by standing on their forelegs and raising
their hindlegs and tail in the air, they more commonly do so with all four feet on the
ground, bending their body around so that both their head and their tail face the
attacker.

36.

Eastern spotted skunk

37.

The eastern spotted skunk is a small, relatively slender skunk found in North
America, throughout the eastern United States and in small areas of Canada and
Mexico.
This small skunk is more weasel-like in body shape than the more familiar striped
skunk. The eastern spotted skunk has four stripes on its back which are broken in
pattern, giving it a "spotted" appearance. They have a white spot on their forehead.
They are found in Canada (southeast Manitoba and northwestern Ontario), the
United States and northeastern Mexico. Males, at 46.3–68.8 cm in total length, are
larger than females, at 35–54.4 cm. The tail accounts for roughly a third of their total
length. Body mass can range from 0.2 to 1.8 kg, with males averaging around 700 g
against the female's average of 450 g. Skull length is 43–55 mm. The eastern spotted
skunk is a very small skunk, which (for comparison sake) is no larger than a goodsized tree squirrel.
They are much more active than any other type of skunk. They have mostly the same
predators as any other skunk (big cats, bobcats, owls, humans, etc.). Up to eight
skunks may share an underground den in the winter. They can also climb and take
shelter in trees. Eastern spotted skunks seem to prefer forest edges and upland prairie
grasslands, especially where rock outcrops and shrub clumps are present. In western
counties, it relies heavily on riparian corridors where woody shrubs and woodland
edges are present. Woody fencerows, odd areas, and abandoned farm buildings are
also important habitat for eastern spotted skunks.

38.

The eastern spotted skunk has a small weasel-like body with fine, dense black fur
that has 4 to 6 broken, white stripes. Two of the stripes are located at the median of
the body and four stripes are placed on the side running from the back of the head to
the rear. White markings are present on both cheeks, as well as on the tip of the tail.
This is known as an aposematic fur pattern and is thought to act as a warning to
predators.
The typical body length of eastern spotted skunks is 24 to 26 centimetres with a tail
length from 11 to 19 centimetres, resulting in a total length of 35 to 45 centimetres.
The feet are 40 to 53 millimetres long, and the forefeet have claws approximately 7
millimetres long, while the hind feet have claws that are around 3.5 centimetres. The
feet are equipped with pads on the soles that aid in climbing. The large claws of the
forefeet help the skunk dig and grasp prey. The total body weight of adults ranges
from 400 to 965 grams.
Eastern spotted skunks are quite secretive and crafty creatures, and it is a rarity for
humans to see them. They are also nocturnal and tend to be more active during dry
cool nights rather than warm wet nights. Although these skunks do not hibernate,
they do tend to greatly reduce their activity when enduring intensely warm summers
or very cold winters. Generally speaking, out of the four species, S. putorius is the
most active. They are also more agile and vigilant than the other skunks dwelling in
North America.

39.

In addition to performing a handstand before spraying a potential predator, the
skunk also performs foot stamping, which involves the skunk stamping its feet on
the ground in order to warn an approaching predator. The stamping can be heard for
several meters away and is usually followed by the skunk spraying its odorous
solution. When these skunks encounter an egg that they want to eat they will straddle
the egg with their front legs and bite the egg open. If this fails they will then proceed
to use their front legs to push the egg back and kick it with one of their hind legs.
Eastern spotted skunks usually breed in March or April and give birth in late May or
early June. On average the female skunk gives birth to 4–5 baby skunks (kits) at a
time. It takes twelve weeks before newborn skunks will become fully developed into
adult skunks and two months before they develop skunk musk to use as self-defense.

40.

Pygmy spotted skunk

41.

The pygmy spotted skunk is a species of mammal in the family Mephitidae. It is
endemic to Mexico.
The pygmy skunk inhabits along the Pacific coast of Mexico. It is found in
woodlands and thickets in rocky soil. They avoid dense forests and swamps. It dens
in burrows, but can take refuge in trees.
The spotted skunks are the most similar to the weasels of the skunks. It has a slimmer
body, and tail coat thinner smaller than their close relatives. It reaches a length of
115–345 mm with a tail of 70–120 mm. Its coat has a black background with white
spots on the forehead and characteristics of 2-6 white stripes on the back and flanks.
The bands become spots on the back later. The tip of the tail is often white. Like all
skunks, it has two large scent glands in the perianal region.
The mating season occurs in September or October, but the delayed implantation of
the embryo lasts until March or April of the next year. Embryonic development takes
28–31 days for a total duration of 230–250 days (counted from the moment of
fertilization). Females give birth between 10 cubs per litter. Juveniles get their final
color after 21 days, open their eyes at 32 days, can spray musk at 46 days and are
weaned after two months. They reach adult size at 15 weeks and reach sexual
maturity in time to participate in the mating season after their birth. The young
disperse in the fall, but can pass the winter with their mothers in a communal den.

42.

This skunk is omnivorous, however, it is the most carnivorous of the family. It feeds
mainly on insects, fruits, berries in the summer months, and hunts small mammals,
birds, and reptiles during the winter. They can climb trees in pursuit of their prey and
sometimes venturing into hen houses to take eggs.
Juveniles have seen accompanying their mothers in their nocturnal hunting trips.
These skunks often share large nests during winter, but will not hibernate. The
species is strictly nocturnal. The first reaction in case of threat is to flee. When
cornered, it becomes aggressive, bristling and raising its tail to appear larger. It can
stand on its front legs and advance in that position against their attacker. If the threat
persists, it returns to standing on four legs and folds back on itself in a U shape,
pointing its tail at its enemy. That is when it sprays its odorous excretion.

43.

Hooded skunk

44.

The hooded skunk is a species of mammal in the family Mephitidae. Mephītis in
Latin means "foul odor", μακρός (makrós) in Greek translates to "long" and οὐρά
(ourá) translates to "tail".
The hooded skunk ranges from the Southwestern United States to Mexico,
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and northwest Costa Rica. It is more abundant in
Mexico. These skunks are found to be more than 50% smaller in size in southern
Mexico than in the Southwestern United States. It is found in grasslands, deserts, and
in the foothills of mountains, avoiding high elevations. It tends to live near a water
source, such as a river. The females tend to be 15% smaller in size than the males and
their breeding season is between February and March. The litter size ranges from
three to eight.
The diet of the hooded skunk consists mostly of vegetation, especially prickly pear
(Opuntia spp.), but it will readily consume insects, small vertebrates, fruit, bird eggs,
and human garbage as well. Hooded skunks in Costa Rica utilize their forelimbs to
throw bird eggs between their hindlegs, in order to break the eggs open. In the wild,
their stomach contents include 74.3% insects, with 50% of their diet consisting of
earwigs, stink bugs, and beetles. Vertebrate tissues made up 12% of the diet, and only
about 1% of the diet consisted of plant material. No cases of rabies are reported, but
they host a range of parasites, including nematodes, roundworms, and fleas.

45.

Hooded skunks are solitary, but they might interact at a feeding ground without
showing any signs of aggression. They shelter in a burrow or a nest of thick plant
cover during the day and are active at night. Like M. mephitis, for self-defense, they
spray volatile components from their anal glands.
Hooded skunks are currently not endangered. They are very abundant in Mexico and
can live in human suburban areas mostly on pastures and cultivated fields. Their fur
has low economic value. However, their fat and scent glands can be used in local folk
medicine. In some parts of their range, their flesh is considered a delicacy. Other
common names for the hooded skunk include: mofeta rayada (Spanish), moufette à
capuchon (French), pay (Maya), southern skunk, white-sided skunk, and zorillo.

46.

Striped skunk

47.

The striped skunk is a skunk of the genus Mephitis that occurs across much of North
America, including 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.
Striped skunks are polygamous omnivores with few natural predators, save for birds
of prey. Like all skunks, they possess highly developed, musk-filled scent glands to
ward off predators. They have a long history of association with humans, having been
trapped and captively bred for their fur and kept as pets.
The striped skunk is a stoutly-built, short-limbed animal with a small, conical head
and a long, heavily furred tail. Adult males are 10% larger than females, with both
sexes measuring between 52 and 77 cm in total body length and usually weighing 1.8–
4.5 kg, though some may weigh 5.5 kg. The feet are plantigrade with bare soles, and
are not as broad or flat as those of hog-nosed skunks. The forefeet are armed with five
long, curved claws adapted for digging, while those on the hind feet are shorter and
straighter.
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. Some specimens have a white patch on the
chest, while others bear white stripes on the outer surface of the front limbs. Brown
or cream-colored mutations occasionally occur.

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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, which provides
a chemical defense against predation. This oily, yellow-colored musk consists of a
mixture of powerfully odorous thiols (sulfur analogues of alcohols, in older sources
called "mercaptans"), which can be sprayed at a distance of several meters. The odor
of this musk was likened by Ernest Thompson Seton to a mixture of perfume musk,
essence of garlic, burning sulfur and sewer gas "magnified a thousand times", though
Clinton Hart Merriam claimed that it isn't "one tenth" as offensive as that produced
by minks and weasels. It can be sprayed at a distance of several meters. If sprayed on
the eyes, this compound can cause a temporary burning sensation.
The striped skunk inhabits a wide variety of habitats, particularly mixed woodlands,
brushy corners and open fields interspersed with wooded ravines and rocky outcrops.
Some populations, particularly in northwestern Illinois, prefer cultivated areas over
uncultivated ones.
While primarily an insectivore, the striped skunk is adaptable enough to incorporate
other animals and even vegetable matter into its diet. The most frequently consumed
insects include grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, caterpillars, other insect larvae and
bees. Other invertebrates may include worms, crayfish and other non-insect
arthropods. 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.