Skunk

skunk, (family Mephitidae), also called polecat, black-and-white mammal, found primarily in the Western Hemisphere, that uses extremely well-developed scent glands to release a noxious odour in defense. The term skunk, however, refers to more than just the well-known striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis). The skunk family is composed of four genera (Mephitis, Conepatus, Spilogale, and Mydaus) and 12 species, 10 of which are found in the Western Hemisphere. Primarily nocturnal, skunks are a diverse group of carnivores that live in a wide variety of habitats, including deserts, forests, and mountains. Most are about the size of a house cat, but some are significantly smaller.

The common striped skunk is found from central Canada southward throughout the United States to northern Mexico. Adults grow to be about 47 to 82 cm (about 18 to 32 inches) long and may weigh up to 6.3 kg (13 pounds). Their fur is typically black with a white V down the back, and they have a white bar between the eyes, as does the rare hooded skunk (Mephitis macroura) of the southwestern United States. In the hooded skunk, stripes are not always present, and white areas on the back are interspersed with black fur, which gives it a gray appearance. The “hood” is the result of long hairs at the back of the neck.

eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius)

eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius)

Spotted skunks (genus Spilogale) live from southwestern Canada to Costa Rica. Except for a white spot between the eyes, their spots are actually a series of interrupted stripes running down their back and sides. The spotted skunks are the smallest skunks, about the size of a tree squirrel—except for the pygmy spotted skunk (S. pygmaea), which can fit in a person’s hand.

American hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus leuconotus)

Humboldt's hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus humboldtii)

Some hog-nosed skunks (genus Conepatus) of North America can be larger than striped skunks, but those of Chile and Argentina, such as Humboldt’s hog-nosed skunk (C. humboldtii), are smaller. Adult Humboldt’s hog-nosed skunks reach 50 to 60 cm (19.7 to 23.6 inches) in length and weigh up to 4.5 kg (about 10 pounds). In the northern part of their range, they have a single solid white stripe starting at the top of the head that covers the tail and back. In Central America and South America they have the typical V pattern. Hog-nosed skunks have no markings between the eyes.

In the 1990s stink badgers, or false badgers (genus Mydaus; see badger), became classified as members of the family Mephitidae, and they thus are now considered skunks. Found only in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia, they resemble small North American hog-nosed skunks with shorter tails. Their white stripes can be divided, single and narrow, or absent.