by
Chris Williamson
Family
The word "skunk" comes from the Algonquin Indian name for the animal, seganku.
There are three groups of skunks represented in North America, the Hog-nosed skunk, Spotted Skunk and the (Striped and Hooded Skunks) All skunks bred as pets are striped skunks. They relate to humans better than the other species.
Skunks were previously thought to belong to the weasel (Mustelid) family. Thanks in large part to Dr. Jerry Dragoo (a biologist from the University of Mexico and leading skunk expert) they are now classified as Mephitidae, a family of their own.
Spotted skunks are relatively small and slender. They have black fur with white spots on their head and body with white stripes starting behind the front legs continuing to the base of the tail. Spotted skunks weigh between .75 - 2.75 lbs.
The hog-nosed skunk has long course fur which thins on the underside. Their coats vary from black to blackish brown. They have a single white stripe starting at the top of the head and ending at the base of the tail. This skunk has a long, broad snout. Their weight ranges between 2.5 - 5 lbs.
Skunks would rather live in dens abandoned by foxes, woodchucks or other animals but will also dig there own dens.
They gather leaves for their bedding by placing them under their body then shuffling backward draging them with their front feet into the borrow.
Skunks have few natural enemies. Owls, hawks, dogs, foxes, coyotes, bobcats may ocassionally kill one, but the skunks spray is effective at repeling most predators. The Great Horned Owl is relatively unaffected by the scent thus becoming the skunks predominent predator. Motor vehicles also kill many skunks.
Skunks are mostly nocturnal, sleeping during the day and foraging for food at night, but will ocassionally also forage during the day. Pet skunks will normally adjust their active hours according to their owners schedule.
Skunks forage about in a placid and sluggish manor. They move at a deliberate walk, slow trot or clumsy gallop; their top speed is about 10 miles per hour. They can swim, but are poor climbers. The skunks senses of sight, smell and hearing are poor compared with those of other animals.
Skunks are not true hibernaters but under go a period of inactivity from November till March. They begin to breed in late February or March when they emerge from their dens. The gestation period is about 60 days with five or six young born in each litter. Baby skunks are called kittens and are fully weaned in about 90 days then follow their mother about for a year before leaving the family.
Skunks in the wild live an average of 2 - 3 years. Pet skunks kept on a healthy diet live 6 - 12 years with some known to live over 20 years.
Description
Striped and hooded skunks in the wild generally have black fur with a single
white stripe starting at the top of the the head then forking into two stripes continuing down the sides of it`s back to the tail. Domestic (pet) skunks come in a wide variety of colors and patterns.
Their bodies are pair shaped with the nose coming to a point and a long fluffy tail. Skunks have long front claws for digging. The average adult weighs between 3.5 - 10 lbs. Domestic skunks have been known to weigh over 20 lbs., this is usually due to a diet too high in fat.
Distribution
Skunks are only found only in North America. They range from northern Canada to central Mexico.
Diet
The skunk is a true omnivore, meaning they eat both animal and vegetable substances. Skunks eat a wide variety of things including mice, shrews, ground squirrels, young rabbits, fish, crustaceans, grasshoppers, crickets and insect larvae such as white grubs, army worms,and cut worms. They also will eat an assortment of plants, fruits, grasses, leaves, buds, grains, and nuts.
Habitat
Skunks prefer to live in open areas with a mixture of grasslands, forests, and farmland. They will also adapt to suburban areas and live under houses, porchs, and decks.
Behavior
The skunk is best known for it`s defense system. They have the ability to spray a thick, yellow, oily secretion from two scent glands located on either side of the anus. Skunks are able to spray an enemy up 16 feet away and are very accurate up till about 10 feet. As well as producing an obnoxious odor this spray can produce nausea and burn eyes.
However the effects are temporary and will not cause permanent damage.
Skunks are not aggressive animals and would rather retreat from any enemy. However when a skunk is theatened it will arch it`s back, raise it`s tail high in the air, get his fur all puffed up, then start hissing, snarling and stomping it`s front feet rapidly on the ground. A spotted skunk may even do hand stands with it`s back and tail arched forward toward the enemy. If all else fails and the threat persists he will bend into a U shape with both his head and butt facing the enemy, lift his tail and fire away, directing his spray into the enemies face.