Striped Skunk

Profile

The Striped Skunk is a small, black-and-white mammal best known for its strong scent defense. Calm and slow-moving by nature, it sprays only when threatened. Skunks are important members of forest and field ecosystems because they eat insects and small animals that might otherwise become pests.

Habitat & Range

Striped Skunks live across most of North America, from southern Canada through the United States and into northern Mexico. They prefer open fields, forest edges, and grassy areas near water. They often make dens under logs, porches, or abandoned burrows.

Diet & Role in the Ecosystem

Diet: They eat insects, grubs, small rodents, bird eggs, fruits, and berries. Their diet changes with the seasons, with more insects and small prey in summer and more fruits and plants in fall.

Predators: Few animals hunt skunks because of their spray. Great horned owls, coyotes, and bobcats are their main natural predators.

Ecological Role: Skunks help control insect and rodent populations and spread seeds from the fruits they eat. Their digging turns over soil, helping plants grow and keeping the ecosystem balanced.

Behavior & Adaptations

Skunks are mostly active at night. They have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell and hearing. When threatened, they stamp their feet and raise their tails to warn predators before releasing a mist of foul-smelling spray that can travel more than ten feet.

Interesting Fact

A Striped Skunk can aim its spray with surprising accuracy, often targeting a predator's face to make a quick escape.

Conservation Status

Status: Least Concern. Populations are stable and widespread.