GENERAL INFORMATION

Two species of skunks are found in North Carolina. The Spotted Skunk, Spilogaleputorius, a smaller species, is found in North Carolina only in the mountainous region of the west while the larger Striped Skunk is found throughout the state.

DESCRIPTION

The Striped Skunk is a medium-sized mammal about the size of a domestic cat, with adults weighing from around 2 1/2 pounds to well over 10 pounds. Average overall length is between 21 and 27 inches including the tail which measures about 9 to 13 inches. The fur is long, especially on the tail, and the head is relatively small in comparison with the rest of the body. The nails are long, an adaptation for digging, particularly on the front feet. The dark black body of the Striped Skunk is distinctively marked with a bright white stripe which begins on the head and then usually splits into two parallel stripes down the back and onto the tail. Individual Striped Skunks however are highly variable in coloration. Some may be almost totally black with only a spot or two of white on the head or back of the neck while others can be predominantly white.

HABITS AND HABITATS

The Striped Skunk is probably best known for its habit of spraying a foul-smelling musk at its enemies. This musk is secreted from a pair of anal glands under the tail. When disturbed, the Striped Skunk will usually stamp its front feet at the intruder as a warning. If the threat of danger remains, the Skunk will then raise its tail, turn its body into a "U" shape with its tail facing towards its attacker and then spray a yellowish musky fluid. This musk can be sprayed as far as 10 to 15 feet and the odor can often be detected as much as a mile away. The musk can be very irritating to the eyes and ingestion of the musk has been known to cause severe internal problems. In spite of its formidable defense, skunks are preyed upon by some other animals, most noticeably the Great Horned Owl which regularly includes the Skunk in its diet. The Striped Skunk is primarily nocturnal and is active year-round except in extremely cold weather. Skunks may dig their own den or utilize an abandoned burrow of another animal. They are omnivorous, eating a variety of both plant and animal material. Insects make up a considerable portion of the diet with grubs dug from rotting wood or from the ground being a favorite item. Other regularly consumed items include small animals such as mice and other small mammals, snakes, amphibians, the eggs of ground-nesting birds, and various wild fruits and berries. Striped skunks begin their breeding season in February and March, with the young being born in April and early May. Litters range from 2 to as many as 10 young which are weaned by the age of 8 weeks. The young skunks often follow behind the mother in single file on her daily trips in search of food. Striped skunks occupy a variety of habitats including forests, cultivated copies, and even suburban neighborhoods. In North Carolina there are often noticeable large gaps in its distribution in the state, probably due to outbreaks of various diseases which eliminate the Striped Skunk periodically over sizable portions of its range.

HISTORY

Skunks have a bad reputation due to their well-known and unusual defense but are actually very shy and unaggressive animals, only using their unique 'weapon' as a last resort. Because of the tenacious, clinging qualities of the skunk's pungent musk, the fluid has been used commercially as a base for perfumes. Skunks are also trapped for their fur. Earlier this century there was a great demand for their pelts. Skunks are very adaptable animals, often living in close proximity to man. They sometimes will den beneath buildings, causing great concern to nearby human occupants and occasionally cause damage to grassy lawns as they dig for grubs and other insects. Skunks may also raid backyard garbage cans for leftovers. They tend to be quite tolerant of humans and other animals and can often be approached quite closely. Skunks are known to be one of the major wild carriers of rabies in this country although the vast majority of skunks are free of this dreaded disease. Any Skunk that acts particularly tame or overly aggressive could possibly be harbor rabies or another disease such as distemper and should be left alone.

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©2002 WNC Nature Center