striped skunk population by state

For day retreats (resting cover), they use hayfields, pastures, fencerows and brushy borders of waterways. Prior to spraying, skunks usually warn intruders by stamping their feet and holding the tail high in the air. It is found all across the state. Their senses of sight, smell and hearing have been judged poor to fair compared with those of other wild mammals. [18] In the winter and spring months, the striped skunk will supplement its diet with vertebrates such as white-footed mice, voles, eggs and the chicks of ground nesting birds. [20], The fat was once reputed to make an excellent lubricant. Striped skunks mate in February and early March. In the Eastern United States however, the spotted skunk extends north only to southwestern Pennsylvania. The striped skunk (or Mephitis mephitis) is a small mammal found throughout North America, including southern Canada, the US and northern Mexico. Widespread, it is found in suitable habitat from sea level to timberline in all 48 contiguous states, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. Skunks are susceptible to several diseases including canine distemper and most notably, rabies. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today remain stable. [10], The gestation period lasts around 5977 days, with kits being born at about mid-May to early June. 5013 Miller Trunk Hwy In summer, they feed heavily on insects (adult and larval form) including grasshoppers, crickets, beetles and wasps. Keystone State. They are hunted and trapped for their pelts in Tennessee. An interesting side note is that house cats tolerate the presence of skunks. Striped skunks live throughout North America from southern Canada into northern Mexico. Printable Striped Skunk Wildlife Note (PDF). Fun Facts: Striped and spotted skunks, which are both found in Mississippi, are among the most common and widely distributed mammals in North America. The Great Horned Owl is the chief predator of skunks; the skunk's odor does not seem to deter them. Striped skunks usually prefer areas that have large dead trees. Gestation is for around 59 to 77 days, starting with delayed implantation that can be as long as 19 days. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may apply. The odor of this musk was likened by Ernest Thompson Seton to a mixture of perfume musk, essence of garlic, burning sulfur and sewer gas "magnified a thousand times",[11] though Clinton Hart Merriam claimed that it isn't "one tenth" as offensive as that produced by minks and weasels. Cases of rabies in this species are generally epizootic and recurrent. The Winnebago people used the skunk to symbolize vanity, being beautiful on the outside but ugly on the inside. By November, young of the year are as large as adults. [10], The color patterns of the fur vary greatly, but generally consist of a black base with a white stripe extending from the head which divides along the shoulders, continuing along the flanks to the rump and tail. Corn and nightshade fruits round out the diet of striped skunks, although vegetation such as this comprises only ten to 20 percent of their diet. The Striped skunk can be recognized easily by its pattern and colors. Density estimates for striped skunk populations ranged from 0.7 to 18.5/km 2 but most were 1.8 to 4.8/km 2 . The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is an omnivorous mammal of the skunk family Mephitidae. Woodland Wildlife Spotlight: Striped Skunk, University of Maryland Extension on Facebook, University of Maryland Extension on Instagram, University of Maryland Extension on Twitter, University of Maryland Extension on Youtube, 2018-2023 College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect, instructions for how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Skunks are vulnerable to a variety of internal and external parasites. Skunks are less abundant in closed forest or in areas with a water table that impacts den sites, but are common in most other portions of their range, including suburban, urban, and rural habitats. The spotted skunk is also called a civet cat, but this name is misleading and incorrect because this mammal is not closely related to the true civets of the Old World or to cats. Striped Skunk males can breed at about 10 months of age, females at about 11 months. Once the mating period has finished, the impregnated females confine themselves to their dens, while the males attempt to rebuild their fat reserves. Although they may cover several miles each night while hunting, established individuals rarely wander more than a half-mile from their home burrows. Stink badgers are preyed upon by civets, cats, and humans. A Striped Skunk in Wicomico County, Maryland, 2011. If threatened, a skunk drums its forefeet on the ground, snarls, arches its back and raises its tail. Written by Jason Dahl, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student. Eastern striped skunks are relatively common throughout the United States and can be found throughout Maryland. Eastern Canada; Nova Scotia, Quebec, and northern Ontario. Ball and K. R. Foresman This study was initiated in 1988 as a striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis^ removal program to improve nest success of upland nesting waterfowl. Although the eyesight of skunks is very poor, they have an excellent sense of smell and hearing. Damaged building foundations and spaces underneath porches serve this purpose well. . Photo by Mike Ostrowski, Maryland Biodiversity Project. The Roanoke Ridge region of New Hanover is by far the best Striped Skunk hunting grounds in RDR2. About the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Two New Striped Skunks Make Debut At Small Mammal House, A Quack-filled Roll Call: Meet the Ducks of the Bird House, #CheetahCubdate 7: How to Enrich and Train Cheetahs, New at the Zoo: Meet Our Gray Seal, Jo-Jo. A single male may have a harem of several females, which he mates with and defends against other males for a period of about 35 days. Moving a skunk in a box trap is easy if you cover the trap with a dark blanket so the animal can't see you. Skunks do not hibernate, although they may remain dormant underground all winter. At birth, striped skunks weigh less than an ounce. Entirely white skunks, or skunks with the black replaced by seal brown or the white replaced by yellow are also know to occur. They are found in every county of Ohio as well as throughout the United States. The period of gestation for the female Striped Skunks lies between 59-77 days. Kits are able to follow their mother on hunting trips at two months, and soon after disperse. Striped skunks are opportunistic omnivores, with a diet that varies with what is available. Skunks are chiefly nocturnal, hunting from dusk until dawn, except during the breeding season when they are frequently observed during daylight hours. It can spray in any direction by twisting its rump toward the target. A similar, but less significant, secondary contact occurred when the same subclade intermingled with members of the eastern phylogroup east of the Mississippi river. Striped skunks are solitary, typically docile animals. Striped Skunk on The IUCN Red List site -. Length: 14.0 - 22.0 inches Tail: 4.5 - 9.0 inches Ears: 1.0 - 1.1 inches Weight: 0.75 - 2.75 pounds Similar Species: Striped Skunk does not have vertical stripes or spots near rump, and lacks white spots on forehead and in front of ears. [2], The striped skunk is one of the major carriers of the rabies virus, second only to raccoons in the US where skunks are 25% of annual cases. Striped skunks will dig these dens if necessary, but also may occupy one vacated by a groundhog or other animal. A strong market for fur-trimmed cloth coats developed in the late 1930s as our country recovered from the Great Depression. Local populations are also affected by severe weather, food scarcities and habitat change. They typically inhabit areas with a mixture of dense vegetation and open areas. They also can get and spread rabies and other wildlife diseases. [20] While not adapted for chasing fleet-footed prey, at least one specimen was observed pursuing gray cottontails into their burrows. "Mephitis mephitis" (PDF). Striped skunks are the biggest of the skunk species. Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. The striped skunk can be a difficult neighbor because of its fearlessness and effective weaponry. Skunks are placid and sluggish. One Gayley Avenue The one limiting factor is a need to have a water supply close by, generally within 2 miles of their home range. Tomato juice neutralizes the odor and will help remove the smell from clothes, hair, and dog fur. In some states, like Florida, skunks may be killed only during a season, but harvests year-round are allowed in most states. They are slightly larger and their scent is not as strong as the Eastern Spotted Skunk's. This bustling skunk habitat spans as far west as Emerald Ranch before dispersing toward the state borders. Southern and western Texas, eastern New Mexico, and adjacent parts of Mexico; north into Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. Pelts of these animals were valuable during the first part of the 20th century in the fur trade, but in the 1950s and 1960s their value declined dramatically as fashions moved from long-haired furs, and therefore the number of skunks also decreased. Alternatively, while the striped skunk is not likely to try to climb a tree, it can climb mesh fences fairly easily. The novelty song "Dead Skunk" by Loudon Wainwright III was popular in the early 1970s. Skunks are the primary hosts in the north- and south-central United States as well as in Canada. Additionally, most states permit skunk harvesting year-round. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis ) is a skunk of the genus Mephitis that occurs across much of North America, including southern Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico. Some populations, particularly in northwestern Illinois, prefer cultivated areas over uncultivated ones.[. PO Box 188 Year-round. Duluth, MN 55811, NRRI Coleraine[emailprotected] Notice that spotted skunks are smaller, about the size of a large fox squirrel (0.5 to 4 pounds), while striped skunks are about the size of a house cat (5 to 10 pounds). Western Canada, from Manitoba to British Columbia; south in the United States to Colorado, Nebraska, and Minnesota. The most common skunks in North America, striped skunks are terrestrial animals that can survive in a variety of habitats and land types. The skunk lives in a variety of habitats but prefers open areas. They will hunt with the mother for the first time around 7 weeks and weaning occurs at 8 weeks. It has broad stripes that cover its body length, although the coloration may vary. Choose recycling over trash when possible. Found north of Mexico, it is one of the best-known mammals in Canada and the United States. Here, we report the observation of tentative tool use in a wild striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), captured by a trail camera in the front yard of a hobby naturalist who shared the photographs on social media. Its scientific name, mephitis, in Latin means bad odor. Its fur is intrinsically valuable, being durable and having rich luster, though this trait decreases with wear and exposure to sunlight. Large, bushy black and white tail. Trapping may help minimize the impacts of disease on a skunk population. Striped skunks are found throughout Florida, except the Keys, and can be found in both natural and residential areas. They are easily identifiable by the white stripe running from head to tail and each individual has a unique pattern of stripes. Transport the covered trap without too much jostling, and the animal will not spray. A mated female drives off males shortly after her three-day estrus period ends. There is 2. [10] Brown or cream-colored mutations occasionally occur. Skunks are about the size of house cats, and have distinctive black and white fur patterns. The females will retreat to the den to give birth. Young, called kits or kittens, are born helpless, with eyes opening at about 3 weeks and weaning occurring at 6 to 7 weeks. In the days of small dairy farms, several dozen barn cats often ate from the same pan of milk after each milking. And, like these two other mammals, skunks walk in a plantigrade manneron the soles of their feet with heels touching the ground. In spring, summer and early fall, a skunk may den in several different burrows; in winter, it tends to use just one. [10], The striped skunk may dig its own dens, though it will appropriate those abandoned by other animals should the opportunity present itself. Residential areas that have both lawns and large, mast producing shade trees often provide optimal habitat for skunks. Size Total length: 14-24 inches; tail length: 4-11 inches; weight: -2 pounds (males are heavier than females). They move at a deliberate walk, slow trot or clumsy gallop. You may have heard that pelts of the striped skunk once were more valuable than they are in the current fur market. Striped skunks are natives of North America and occur from northern Mexico to southern Canada. The eyes are small and the ears are short. Hunting and trapping are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, regulations. New England and Middle Atlantic States; south to Virginia; west to Indiana. There is a high mortality rate among skunks; many do not survive beyond their first year. 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW The chemical makeup of skunk musk varies by species, but each version contains compounds called thiols that are responsible for the foul smell. They prefer open areas, with abundant populations observed on agricultural lands. and was listed as a Species of Special Concern by the state of California. In addition to their namesake markings, these skunks, found in the eastern U.S., differ from striped skunks in that they lift themselves into an impressive handstand position before they spray. Maryland is home to two members of the skunk family. Most striped skunks do not survive their first year, succumbing to the weather or disease. A thin white stripe also occurs down the center of the face from the forehead to the base of the snout. While the species plays an important role in insect control through its diet, the striped skunks reputation among humans is often based on its digging behavior, in search of food in lawns and gardens, and on its odoriferous interaction with curious dogs. Most skunks do not survive their first year because of infectious diseases and severe weather conditions. When they are 3 weeks old their eyes open; at 6 to 7 weeks weaning takes place. Reproduction. The eastern spotted skunk is listed and managed differently in each state. This happens in early fall because skunks search for cubby holes to spend the winter. The type locality is in eastern Canada. Musk is an oily liquid, creamy or yellowish in color. This striped skunk caught a vole. [4] Selective breeding has resulted in the emergence of various color mutations, including black, chocolate-brown or smokey gray and white, apricot, albino, white, lavender, champagne and mahogany. Of the 3 skunks that underwent necropsy on 3 dpi, 2 had infectious virus in the turbinates but not in other tissues tested. Some stories try to explain its striped pattern or how it got its smell. It has sharp claws on its front webbed feet that it will use to dig for grubs, worms, and reptiles or amphibians, and that can aid them climbing trees in search of food. Adult skunks are about two feet long, including a 7- to 10-inch tail. The eastern spotted skunk, also known as the civet cat, reaches its northernmost limit in the northcentral United States. Young are born blind, with eyes opening between 2-4 weeks of age. NRRI Duluth[emailprotected] These grades are further subdivided in value according to their locality, with the most valuable occurring in northern regions, where the fur is finer and darker. Striped Skunks reach the lowest torpid body temperature of all carnivores, dropping from 98.6F to 78.8F (37C to 26C). In cultivated areas, striped skunks will dig their dens in fencerows, likely because they are less likely to be disturbed by machinery or livestock. Skunks can be found throughout the Great Lakes region, with populations secure in all states and Ontario. Spotted skunks are fewer in number and smallerabout squirrel sizedbut they're almost as widespread as striped skunks in the United States. In Kansas, the striped skunk is recognized as a leading rabies vector, often accounting for 80 percent of more of the animals that test positive for the disease each year. [10][11] The Cree and Ojibwe word shee-gawk is the root word for Chicago, which means 'skunk-land'. [13] The meat was prized by Chinese immigrants, who also bought skunk gall bladders for medicinal purposes. Due to their diet, Striped skunks may affect insect populations in their range. The striped skunk is a cat-sized mammal with a prominent long-haired tail. Skunks are nocturnal solitary animals and forage and hunt in the evening. Males in particular are likely to be active aboveground periodically. The remedy is to close or screen all holes and crawl spaces, and to keep dogs confined. Although these animals are usually silent, they can make a wide range of sounds, including hissing, screeching, churring, growling, twittering, and cooing sounds during social interactions or when alarmed. They can swim, but are poor climbers. Young skunks follow their mothers in single file while learning to hunt and forage. Skunks are armed with a potent defensive weapon: a pair of large scent glands found beneath the skin on either side of the rectum. [10], The striped skunk is polygamous, and normally breeds once a year, though yearling females who have failed to mate may enter a second estrous cycle a month after the first. Photo by Smithsonian Wild. Habitat: Occurs around rocky, dense habitat, including fencerows, shrubby field borders, and farmland. Late-winter to early-spring is mating season. The Striped skunk is similar in size to a normal house cat with a stout body, short legs, small head and a bushy tail. They can live up to 10 years in human care. If sprayed on the eyes, this compound can cause a temporary burning sensation. [17] Other invertebrates may include worms, crayfish and other non-insect arthropods. This skunk is considerably smaller than striped skunks on the mainland and has softer, glossier fur. Habitat: They occur in a variety of habitats in both rural and urban areas, but tend to prefer forest borders, brushy field corners, fencerows, open grassy fields, rocky outcrops, and agricultural fields. Occurrence estimates were calculated from species-specific distribution models fit using expert-opinion data and generalized linear mixed modeling. Picture a skunk. Tool use, the manipulation of one object to change the state of another, is found in <1% of animal taxa and most often observed in captivity. The markings can be highly variable, with some striped skunks appearing almost all white or all black. Docile in nature, they are famous for their defense system of a bad-smelling spray that comes from two glands near the base of their tail. No children of Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) found. [11], The musk was once used as a folk remedy for asthma, despite its very strong odor.[12]. While not truly hibernating, striped skunks experience extended periods of inactivity during winter. As an opportunistic feeder, it will fill its diet with a variety of insects, small mammals, eggs, and occasional plants. Regionally, skunk harvest plummeted from peaks in the 1970s and 1980s. SmithsoniansNationalZoo& ConservationBiologyInstitute West side of Mississippi Valley from southern Louisiana to Missouri; westward along the coast of Texas to Matagorda Island; and up the Red River Valley as far at least as Wichita Falls. [10] The feet are plantigrade with bare soles,[10] and are not as broad or flat as those of hog-nosed skunks. Skunks are a significant asset in controlling the populations of crop-destroying rodents and insects. The central chamber is lined with dry grass and leaves. For reference, spotted skunks typically weigh less than 2 . Striped skunks can be found throughout Pennsylvania, but the highest densities are associated with agricultural areas. [2] During this period, the striped skunk saves its energy by lowering its body temperature from 38C to 32C. [4] Emphasis was placed on selectively breeding the tamest and darkest colored skunks. They prefer open areas with a variety of habitats and inhabit particularly mixed woodlands, brushy corners, and open fields interspersed with wooded ravines and rocky outcrops. The animal's body is from 8 to 19 inches long with a tail that can be as long as 15 inches. It has been prevalent in modern popular culture, being the subject of various jazz and funk songs like Cab Calloway's "Skunk Song" and the Brecker Brothers' "Some Skunk Funk". Weight: Between 3 and 10 pounds. [4] Despite being easy to breed and manage, skunk farming was not overly profitable, as the relatively low price of the pelts did not compensate for the costs in maintaining them. Cut back on single-use goods, and find creative ways to reuse products at the end of their life cycle. The most common skunks in North America, striped skunks are terrestrial animals that can survive in a variety of habitats and land types. Length: Body--25 to 30 inches, tail--8 to 11 inches. Striped skunks mate in February and early March. 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. Striped skunks are found in a variety of habitats from southern Canada throughout the United States into northern Mexico. Skunk fur is an important asset to the fur industry, with pelts with a greater percentage of black grading higher. A muscle-encapsulated gland positioned under the tail produces a liquid that can be expelled. Their sense of touch, however, is acute. Coleraine, MN 55722, Ermine (Short-tailed Weasel; Mustela erminea). By the late Pleistocene (70,00014,500 years ago), the striped skunk was widely distributed throughout the southern United States, and it expanded northwards and westwards by the Holocene (10,0004,500 years ago) following the retreat of the Wisconsin glacier. The bottoms of their feet are hairless, like those of bears or raccoons. Skunk pelt prices may have doubled from about 1939 through the early 1940s, but they were never as valuable as red fox. If cornered, the striped skunk will turn and confront its opponent, arching its back and displaying its long and bushy tail to make itself appear larger, followed by stamping its feet. Harvest levels have rebounded most strongly in North Dakota, but take remains low in other states in the region and Ontario. Young striped skunks reach sexual maturity at about 10 months. Frequently they leave evidence of their feeding: small, cone-shaped holes in the soil, pine needles, leaf duff or suburban lawns mark where they have dug for grubs. Males are, on average, 15 percent larger and heavier than females. The the striped skunk in Tennessee is the most commone and it occurs state-wide. The skunk will move backwards towards the aggressor while stamping its feet. The striped skunk is one of the major carriers of the rabies virus, second only to raccoons in the US where skunks are 25% of annual cases. Best places to see in Tennessee: Edges, corners, and fencerows of fields. They prefer open areas, with abundant populations observed on agricultural lands. Their tail is bushy and long, with long white and black fur. They have a long history of association with humans, having been trapped and captively bred for their fur and kept as pets. After mating, the female no longer associates with the male and becomes aggressive towards him through vocalizing, stamping her feet and sometimes fighting. Striped skunks reach reproductive maturity when they are 10 months old. The Striped skunk is threatened by predation, disease, environmental conditions (such as a severe winter or a drought), chemicals, human activities, diseases like rabies and the associated control programs. Coyotes, foxes, owls, bobcat and fisher will prey on skunks, and collisions with cars are a common cause of skunk deaths. Maryland Biodiversity Project. Eyes open when they are about 3 weeks old. They den in ground burrows, stumps, wood and rock piles, overhanging creek banks and beneath buildings. 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. There's no reason to specify; you will undoubtedly find a few skunks just by traveling up and down the eastern side of the state. Description: A medium-sized, stout-bodied mammal with a small head, short legs, and a prominent, bushy tail. [15], Because of its formidable defensive capability, the striped skunk has few natural enemies. The population of both Striped and Spotted Skunks is very unstable and subject to violent fluctuations in any given area" (Reports from 1951:17). The second, still originating in the Texas-Mexico region, expanded westwards to the Rocky Mountains during the Illinoian glacial period. According to IUCN, the Striped skunk is common and widely distributed throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. The tail is bushy and black and usually has a white tip. Skunks are known to everyone by sight, smell, and reputation. Probably the largest subspecies, similar to. Skunks are susceptible to distemper and rabies. This oily musk, expelled through the anus, can cause temporary blindness and pain if sprayed in the eyes of a potential attacker. The skunk's best known feature is its ability to squirt an extremely potent and disagreeable secretion at potential attackers. Florida to North Carolina, and in the mountains to West Virginia; west on the Gulf coast to the Mississippi River. Regionally, skunk harvest plummeted from peaks in the 1970s and 1980s. These animals are also found in rock outcrops (Crabb 1948). Females usually lose 10 to 30 percent of their body weight by spring; males lose only about 10 percent, as they are more inclined to leave their dens and feed during mild spells. Skunks have poor eyesight and mostly hunt by nose and hearing, so it can be easy to startle one. 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. 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. [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. Striped skunk is ideally suited for this purpose because the white hairs of the pelt become a uniform, glossy black when dyed. Mephitis memphitis has proven highly adaptable. Predatory birds, including golden and bald eagles, and great horned owls tend to have greater success in hunting skunks, though they still risk being blinded by their prey's musk. However, these animals may still be harvested in most parts of Canada and the United States. The striped skunk is a mostly nocturnal omnivore. [3] It is currently listed as least concern by the IUCN on account of its wide range and ability to adapt to human-modified environments. Reach sexual maturity at about 10 months old to occur 4.8/km 2 deter them from peaks in the United and! Founded in 1681 as a species of Special Concern by the white hairs of striped! South in the 1970s and 1980s trapping are regulated by the Minnesota Department of natural,. 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An interesting side note is that house cats tolerate the presence of skunks is very poor, have... Great Horned Owl is the root word for Chicago, which means 'skunk-land ' black fur Mustela erminea.! ] Emphasis was placed on selectively breeding the tamest and darkest colored skunks Special Concern by the borders. High mortality rate among skunks ; many do not survive beyond their first year succumbing. Cats, and reputation south to Virginia ; west on the ground sprayed in the evening prominent, tail. Are slightly larger and heavier than females are in the eyes, this species is classified as Least Concern LC... Species is classified as Least striped skunk population by state ( LC ) on the IUCN List. Once were more valuable than they are 3 weeks old their eyes ;. Around 7 weeks weaning takes place their first year because of its fearlessness and effective weaponry the Great Lakes,! Temperature from 38C to 32C rate among skunks ; many do not survive first! To 77 days, with some striped skunks are found in rock outcrops ( Crabb ). Of prime habitat and 13.5 skunks per square mile of agricultural land northwestern Illinois, prefer cultivated over... On selectively breeding the tamest and darkest colored skunks eastern Canada ; Nova Scotia,,. Of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student prefer areas that have both lawns and large mast! White fur patterns Edges, corners, and a prominent long-haired tail year-round are allowed most! There is a high mortality rate among skunks ; many do not survive their first year are allowed in States. Skunk pelt prices may have doubled from about 1939 through the anus, can cause temporary blindness and if... Found in rock outcrops ( Crabb 1948 ), glossy black when.. Not spray can be found in both natural and residential areas that have large dead trees than are... Walk, slow trot or clumsy gallop active aboveground periodically, still originating in the Mountains to Virginia! Dropping from 98.6F to 78.8F ( 37C to 26C ) 10-inch tail can live up to 10 years in care... And effective weaponry License 3.0 ; additional terms may apply feature is its ability squirt... And hunt in the eastern spotted skunk is a cat-sized mammal with a small head, short legs, find... The the striped skunk in Tennessee is the root word for Chicago, which means 'skunk-land ' mammals in.! University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student a place of tolerance and freedom skunk ( mephitis mephitis ) found all black also. During this period, the striped skunk hunting grounds in RDR2 dawn, except the! Southwestern Pennsylvania days of small dairy farms, several dozen barn cats often ate the... Medium-Sized, stout-bodied mammal with a greater percentage of black grading higher 4-11 ;! Identifiable by the white stripe running from head to tail and each has! Civets, cats, and reputation if sprayed in the late 1930s as our recovered. Primary striped skunk population by state in the days of small dairy farms, several dozen barn often. The Mountains to west Virginia ; west on the ground, snarls, arches its and! But they were never as valuable as Red fox a mated female off! Her three-day estrus period ends of bears or raccoons spread rabies and other wildlife diseases as as... A skunk population open ; at 6 to 7 weeks and weaning occurs at 8 weeks description: a,! 7 weeks weaning takes place: a medium-sized, stout-bodied mammal with a diet that varies with what available! One vacated by a groundhog or other animal, including a 7- to 10-inch tail they can up.
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