The striped skunks, on the other hand, are better at digging than climbing. They are mostly nocturnal and tend to live on their own. Striped skunks are found in a variety of habitats including rolling, weedy fields, fence rows, wooded ravines, rocky outcrops and drainage ditches where water is available, under vacant buildings and near dumps. These animals have a white stripe that runs from its head to its tail which is how they’re identified. When threatened or disturbed, skunks make a purring sound and often growl when attacked by humans. They don’t spray their dens nor do … Skunks mate during late February or early March, with four to seven mouse-sized young born 62 days later in May. This name comes from the Latin word mean-ing “bad odor.” Habitat and Habits Skunks live in areas with a mixture of woods, brush and open fields broken The striped skunk occurs throughout most of Maine. The subspecies Mephitis mephitiselon-gate is found in North Carolina. 1), which is the size of a domestic cat, ranges in length from 22 to 32 inches including its tail.Its fur is jet black except for two prominent white stripes running down its back. Three other skunk species live in the United States: hooded and hognose skunks, which inhabit the Southwest, and the spotted skunk, which is found throughout much of … America. Weight: Between 3 and 10 pounds. Skunks do not normally construct their own homes. Fortunately, pet skunks also tend to be sociable and playful when they grow up interacting with people. The female striped skunks group together, and you can sometimes find up to twelve of these skunks in a den. The striped skunk is an interesting component of New York's wildlife assortment. Its small head fits conveniently, but sometimes too snugly, into enticing open jars. The two skunk species that live in Asia are called stink badgers. Primarily nocturnal, skunks are diverse carnivores that live in a wide variety of habitats, including deserts, forests, and mountains. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) belongs to the Mephitidae family, which includes badgers. The skunk family is composed of 11 species, 9 of which are found in the Western Hemisphere. Skunks are legendary for their powerful predator-deterrent—a hard-to-remove, horrible-smelling spray. The tail of the striped skunk is long, fluffy, and mostly black. The striped skunk has broad stripes that may run the length of the body, but coloration is highly variable. The striped skunk is found across most of southern Canada, all over the United States and in northern Mexico. For one, the striped skunk is larger (1.2-5.5 kg, or about 2.5-12 pounds vs. 325-650 g, or 0.75-1.5 pounds). Striped skunks usually do not survive their first year due to severe weather conditions and diseases. The striped skunk Mephitis mephitis is about the size of a cat, but has a stout body, a rather small head, short legs, and a bushy tail. Skunks may look like they’re a relative of the badgers but they’re closer to weasels. The eastern hog-nosed skunk is the largest skunk species reaching nearly 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms). Skunks, easily identifiable by their characteristic black and white striping, are infamous for producing a foul odor when frightened. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis, Fig. Thereof, how do skunks survive the winter? Skunk Spray. Striped skunks can be found throughout Pennsylvania, but the highest densities are associated with agricultural areas. Eastern spotted skunks have a preference for rocky, wooded habitats that offer plenty of vegetation. So, during winter skunks look to live in places that can provide them enough warmth throughout the … Other factors contributing to mortality include predation and parasitism as well as risk from human road systems and hunting. Instead, they nest in burrows abandoned by animals such as foxes and other small mammals or dig their way under previously existing structures. Where do skunks live during the winter? Skunks are North and South American mammals in the family Mephitidae.While related to polecats and other members of the weasel family, skunks have as their closest Old World relatives the stink badgers. Striped skunks often attack the nests of colonial insects, such as bees and ants. The cost of living—How Striped Skunks balance seasonal activity budgets Striped skunk (image: Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH/Shutterstock) Every organism on Earth is familiar with the price of life. A skunk prefers to use natural cavities in … Skunks may be vectors of rabies, and can transmit the disease to humans and other mammals when it is in its active stage. Skunks dig a den or will take over a den that has been abandoned by a woodchuck or fox. Where Do Striped Skunks Live? Up to 90% of young skunks do not survive their first winter. A skunk's spray is an oily liquid produced by glands under its large tail. Striped skunks do not hibernate during the winter. Whereas the western spotted skunks favor more lowland areas. Striped skunks live alone and are typically docile; they do not often show aggression unless provoked. Striped skunks may live 10 years in captivity, although very few wild skunks survive 6 years. Its fur is jet black except for two prominent white stripes running down its back. Skunks breed between February and March and usually give birth to — on average — … In fact, rabies is more common in striped skunks than in any other Minnesota mammal. Diet: Striped skunks are omnivores, meaning that they eat both plant and animal materials. They can live in both the city and the wilderness, and they are found throughout North America from central Mexico into Canada. Rather than digging their own burrows, they will usually try to find burrows abandoned by other animals or live in hollowed logs. The striped skunk is a true omnivore, eating a vast assortment of things including insects, small mammals, birds and their eggs, crustaceans, fruits, grasses, leaves, buds, grains, nuts, and carrion. The period of mating is … Skunks are host to fleas, lice, mites, ticks and various internal parasites. Whether it be homeostasis, reproduction, or locomotion, everything that has to do with survival involves conservation of energy. Two skunk species live in Washington: The Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)(Fig. Getting To Know Skunks and Their Behavior. Like humans, most predators avoid skunks because of the odor of their musk. If you think you have winter skunks living on your premises, the likeliness is that there is more than one. Predators: Striped skunks are well known for their ability to defend themselves by discharging a fine mist or stream of droplets of musk (butylmercaptan) which is an extreme eye irritant but causes no permanent damage. Identification. Population. You may have a group living together to keep warm. Found throughout the western states and into Mexico and a small portion of Canada, the western spotted skunk has multiple stripes running in more than one direction, making them appear mottled. The animals are known for their ability to spray a liquid with a strong, unpleasant scent. The females usually have one heat per year, lasting about 3 days. Skunks become inactive during the coldest periods, but they do not hibernate and may be active year-round. Striped Skunks have a lifespan of about two years in the wild, but they have few natural enemies. They weigh more than the spotted skunks. Striped skunks do need to live within at least 2 miles of a water source, though. While both skunks have a well-deserved reputation for the odor of their defensive spray, there are many differences. Occupying a wide variety of habitats in Kentucky, striped skunks are highly adaptable from rural areas to the suburbs. After their first year, they can live up to seven years in the wild and up to 10 years in captivity. They have a shorter firing range, but more pungent musk than striped skunks. The secretion it spews is an oily liquid that most skunks can shoot up to 10 feet. In addition to feeding and cleaning up after your skunk, expect to spend several hours per day keeping it entertained. Striped skunks are also common in urban areas. Striped skunks resemble hooded skunks and share habitat. Spotted skunks favor areas with trees and woods, but again, like the striped skunks are happy to live alongside urban locations. Where do skunks live? The term skunk, however, refers to more than just the well-known striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis). Although a skunk’s spray is known mostly for its robust smell, it can also cause intense discomfort if it gets into a person or animal’s eyes. Since skunks tend to be active during the winter – although, in a dormant state, they need to keep themselves warm enough to survive through the winter. They may have multiple mates and males do not help raise young. It is about the size of a house cat and has a potent musk that often overshadows the beauty of its glossy and durable fur. In nature striped skunks live 2-3 years; In captivity – usually up to 5 years. General description: The striped skunk is a medium-sized mammal that has a glossy black coat with a thin white stripe between its eyes and two stripes on its back. Skunks work hard to survive the Winter. Striped skunks have black and white markings and can live in most terrain throughout North America without a problem. Although they can dig their own dens, striped skunks usually live in the abandoned burrows of other species, such as fox. Striped skunks are pretty smart. The striped skunk is larger than the eastern spotted skunk with an average body length (excluding tail) of about 13-18 inches and a total length of about 31.5 inches. The striped skunk typically has a narrow white stripe down the center of the face. Click to see full answer. In urban settings, they may find shelter under porches and in cellars. Reproduction. Most skunks live two to three years in the wild; in captivity, they have lived 10 years. Males of skunks are polygamous. Accounting for their numbers growing stronger as civilization and humans encroached is their high adaptability. Striped skunks are the most common of all skunks. How Do Skunk’s Survive Winter? Some of a skunk's personality traits, such as being stubborn and headstrong, can make it a challenge to live with. Skunks make their homes within two miles of a source of water, and will typically only roam no more than 0.5 to 1.5 miles from their dens. 1) is the size of a domestic cat, ranging in length from 22 to 32 inches, including its tail. Description. Skunks also live in or near logs or brush piles. These include the striped, hooded, hog-nosed and spotted skunks. Skunks eat extra food during the Fall, to build up a layer of fat. Length: Body--25 to 30 inches, tail--8 to 11 inches. Insects make up approximately 70% of their diet. Striped skunks live in several different types of habitats, including forests, grasslands, meadows and even suburban areas. Unlike squirrels, they do not stockpile food for the cold months. They may climb wire fences but may find it difficult due to their long nails. The striped skunk has 13 subspecies. Skunks can live in open prairies, brush, grasslands, woods and even in developed areas throughout their range. 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