striped skunk population by state

The striped skunk can be a difficult neighbor because of its fearlessness and effective weaponry. Young, called kits or kittens, are born helpless, with eyes opening at about 3 weeks and weaning occurring at 6 to 7 weeks. Other mortality factors are diseases such as pneumonia, distemper, pulmonary aspergillosis, tularemia, brucellosis and rabies; highway kills, starvation and trapping. The striped skunk occurs throughout most lowland areas in Washington, preferring open fields, pastures, and croplands near brushy fencerows, rock outcroppings, and brushy draws. Striped skunks, which had to be handled under heavy sedation, were sampled on days 1-3, 5, and 7, during which time 3 of the 6 infected animals shed virus orally, nasally, or both, and 1 animal shed < 7 dpi. [4] Skunks are notable for being easy to trap, even approaching traps they had been previously caught in. But the omnivorous striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)New England's only native Within a few weeks, I have the skunk skull on my desk, a stack of articles on skunks, and a copy of The Biology of the Striped Skunk, by B. J. Vertsthe definitive textbook on the animal . A free roaming dog often aggravates the situation by chasing the prowling skunk. The striped skunk is actually a very successful species, with a range that occupies a large portion of North America, including southern Canada, northern Mexico, and most of the United States. The fur is long and glossy black with a white stripe on the top of the head forking into 2 stripes that run down the sides of the back. Conservation Ranks. [5] The striped skunk is one of the most recognizable of North America's animals, and is a popular figure in cartoons and children's books. They have a long history of association with humans, having been trapped and captively bred for their fur and kept as pets. Female striped skunks typically give birth once each year, with breeding occurring between February and April. 3 of 8 Skunks occasionally raid hen houses, and feed heavily on waterfowl eggs. [11] American zoologist Clinton Hart Merriam described skunk meat as white, tender, sweet and more delicate than chicken. Photo by Lori Byrne, Most skunks do not survive their first year because of infectious diseases and severe weather conditions. Scientific Name: Mephitis mephitis. Kits are able to follow their mother on hunting trips at two months, and soon after disperse. Such predators include cougars, coyotes, bobcats, badgers, and red and gray foxes. They are quite at home in a variety of landscapes, from wooded areas to grasslands and agriculture fields, and even in urban areas, among humans. Skunk fur is an important asset to the fur industry, with pelts with a greater percentage of black grading higher. Its active ingredient is a sulphide called mercaptan. They eat pests including potato bugs, tobacco worms and Japanese beetles. They can weigh from around 2 lbs to over 10 lbs. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The Great Horned Owl is the chief predator of skunks; the skunk's odor does not seem to deter them. Southern and western Texas, eastern New Mexico, and adjacent parts of Mexico; north into Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. Eastern Canada; Nova Scotia, Quebec, and northern Ontario. Until the early 1990s, Minnesota dominated regional harvest. Male body weight ranged from 5.5 lb to 9.9 lb (2.5-4.5 kg) in Minnesota and female body weight ranged from 4 to 9 lb (1.8-4.1 kg) in Minnesota. Its scientific name, mephitis, in Latin means bad odor. They often live in the abandoned dens of other mammals during the day, or take up residence in hollowed logs, brush piles or underneath buildings. After 60 days gestation, she bears 2 to 10 young (usually 5 to 7). Skunks are susceptible to distemper and rabies. Young are born blind, with eyes opening between 2-4 weeks of age. [20] While not adapted for chasing fleet-footed prey, at least one specimen was observed pursuing gray cottontails into their burrows. Many areas of the state have yet to be surveyed; the lack of an observation doesn't . The bottoms of their feet are hairless, like those of bears or raccoons. Spotted skunks will also use barns and out buildings for cover. Some populations, particularly in northwestern Illinois, prefer cultivated areas over uncultivated ones. A skunk is colored black and white. They are easily identifiable by the white stripe running from head to tail and each individual has a unique pattern of stripes. Skunks discharge their scent, or musk, through these nozzles, powering the stream with a strong hip muscle contraction. Found north of Mexico, it is one of the best-known mammals in Canada and the United States. Skunks are host to fleas, lice, mites, ticks and various internal parasites. Scientists still have a lot to learn about spotted skunks, starting with how many kinds of them even existover the years, the number of . Population Trends To help assess population trends, we can look at regional furbearer harvest data, methods . Although they may cover several miles each night while hunting, established individuals rarely wander more than a half-mile from their home burrows. Skunk spray can travel up to 10 feet (though odor can be detected further away), and when striped skunks and hooded skunks take aim, they are amazingly accurate. Great variation in color pattern and size of stripes. [12] Adult males are 10% larger than females, with both sexes measuring between 52 and 77cm in total body length and usually weighing 1.84.5kg (4.09.9lb), though some may weigh 5.5kg (12lb). The spray, which can not only offend the nose but sting the eyes, can reach 12 feet from the skunk; the mist of the spray and the odor can travel considerably further. Regional records for the eastern spotted skunk suggest that this species extended its range northward into Minnesota in the early 1900s. This striped skunk caught a vole. For day retreats (resting cover), they use hayfields, pastures, fencerows and brushy borders of waterways. They favor mixed woods and brushland, rolling weedy fields, fencerows, wooded ravines and rocky outcrops in or near agricultural areas. Striped skunks are common throughout their range. Summer home ranges of 83 to 1,860 acres have been reported for skunks in Illinois. Formerly a member of the weasel family (with mink, otter, fisher, marten), skunks have now been classified into their own family, "Mephitidae". The Striped skunk seems aware of how horrible its own odor is and will not spray in its own dens or in confined spaces. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may apply. Worldwide,Mephitis mephitisis restricted to North America. [11], 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,[13] which provides a chemical defense against predation. Kits are born blind and sparsely furred, weighing 2540grams. Striped skunks mate in February and early March. If threatened, a skunk drums its forefeet on the ground, snarls, arches its back and raises its tail. If sprayed on the eyes, this compound can cause a temporary burning sensation. As an opportunistic feeder, it will fill its diet with a variety of insects, small mammals, eggs, and occasional plants. Protect local waterways by using fewer pesticides when caring for your garden or lawn. 2. They have a long history of association with humans, having been trapped and captively bred for their fur[4] and kept as pets. Habitat: [13], The striped skunk is a stoutly-built, short-limbed animal with a small, conical head and a long, heavily furred tail. The species commonly found in Pennsylvania is the striped skunk. This association likely resulted in the striped skunk's subsequent unfavorable reputation as a poultry thief, despite it being a much less destructive animal than the true polecat. From the late 1990s until present, North Dakota dominates regional harvest. A very large subspecies with a heavily furred, medium-sized tail. Color: Black with two white stripes on its back and tail. Skunks are a major reservoir for rabies and other parasites. [20], The fat was once reputed to make an excellent lubricant. It is a stocky animal with short legs, a broad build and bushy tail. Skunks can spray up to 15 feet, but the smell can carry up to a mile. Nevertheless, raising skunks was considered good practice for amateur fur farmers wishing to later move on to more valuable furbearers like martens, sable, mink and silver foxes. [11] Alternative English names for the striped skunk include common skunk,[12] Hudsonian skunk, northern skunk, black-tailed skunk and prairie polecat. The striped skunk is a black and white mammal about the size of a house cat. As one of the most recognizable mammals anywhere, striped skunks are known for their black fur and characteristic white stripes on their head and down their back. . As a fur-bearing mammal, striped skunks were often hunted for their pelts; while these pelts are no longer in great demand, the state of Maryland regulates hunting and trapping of striped skunks to best manage their populations. (females slightly smaller) Lifespan: Up to 7 years in the wild. Fruits, nuts, carrion, garbage, invertebrates, eggs, small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles can all be taken, but insects usually represent the majority of their diet. Go to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. "Mephitis mephitis" (PDF). Striped skunks are the biggest of the skunk species. Striped skunks at the Smithsonian's National Zoo consume a diet consisting primarily of leafy greens, vegetables and insects. They can weigh from 6 to 14 pounds. Skunks have been the most commonly confirmed rabies species, other than raccoons, during the spread of raccoon rabies throughout Southern New York. The Striped skunk has narrow white stripes located at the center of its face, which differ in length and width across individuals. Striped skunks are largely nocturnal, medium-sized omnivores in the weasel family (Mustelidae). Striped Skunks become sexually mature when they are approximately ten months old. Skunk anal glands are responsible for the sulfur compounds that, when sprayed, form the pungent scent that is a skunks primary defense. Its narrow face has a pointed snout, and small round ears. The Striped skunk is similar in size to a normal house cat with a stout body, short legs, small head and a bushy tail. Fun Facts: These glands have nozzle-like ducts, which protrude through the anus. They typically breed in the later winter or early spring, giving birth to a single litter of 1 - 6 young born in May or June. Newborns are helpless and rely completely on their mother. Like the more glamorous members of the weasel family, the skunk also has glossy and durable fur that can be dyed uniformly black for exquisite garment trimming. Size Total length: 14-24 inches; tail length: 4-11 inches; weight: -2 pounds (males are heavier than females). Habitat: Occurs around rocky, dense habitat, including fencerows, shrubby field borders, and farmland. The striped skunk (or Mephitis mephitis) is a small mammal found throughout North America, including southern Canada, the US and northern Mexico. Gestation is for around 59 to 77 days, starting with delayed implantation that can be as long as 19 days. Members are our strongest champions of animal conservation and wildlife research. Wildlife researchers have estimated an average of one skunk per 10 acres of prime habitat and 13.5 skunks per square mile of agricultural land. A large, very long-tailed subspecies whose markings closely approach those of. Other summer foods include spiders, toads, frogs, lizards, snakes, mice, chipmunks and the eggs of turtles and ground-nesting birds. As the Maryland winter approaches, striped skunks begin looking for a den to spend the winter. Juvenile skunks are capable of spraying at 8 days old, around two weeks before their eyes open. Striped skunks are typically found at elevations below 5,900 feet (1,800 meters). 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