Striped Skunk

Mephitis mephitis

Summary 5

The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is an omnivorous mammal of the skunk family Mephitidae. Found north of Mexico, it is one of the best-known mammals in Canada and the United States.

Habitat and ecology 6

Habitat and Ecology

There is no single well-defined land type that can be classed as skunk range. They live in a variety of habitats: woods, plains, and desert areas but prefer open or forest-edge zones (Walker, 1964). Striped skunks are most abundant on agricultural lands where there is an ample supply of food and cover (Hamilton and Whitaker, 1979). They also adapt to life in urban areas under houses and garages (Rue, 1981; Rosatte, 1986; Larivire et al., 1999). They have been known to inhabit poorly drained marsh areas (Mutch, 1977). Although recorded from 4,200 m skunks usually are found from sea level to 1,800 m (Rue, 1981). Frequently found in suburban areas. Striped skunks are opportunistic omnivorous predatory feeders (Carr, 1974). Their diet varies depending on season and geographic location. In most areas, they feed extensively on insects (usually grasshoppers and beetles) associated with grassland areas (as opposed to forests). However, when insects are not available (early spring, late fall), their diet shifts to small mammals, birds, or vegetation (Verts, 1967).

Systems
  • Terrestrial

Associations 7

Mephitis mephitis is an important source of insect control; however, it also a vector for parasitism and disease. These may include fleas, lice, mites, ticks, and botfly larvae as well as various parasitic worms. Among diseases, there have been reports of leptospirosis and canine distemper, though M. mephitis is better known as a notorious carrier of rabies. Some sources believe that communal denning aids in the spread of these infectious diseases. They may also carry a variety of other diseases including Q fever, listeriosis, pulmonary aspergillosis, pleuritis, ringworm, murine typhus, tularemia, Chagas' disease and canine parvovirus.

Mutualist Species:

  • human (Homo sapiens)

Commensal/Parasitic Species:

  • fleas (Siphonaptera)
  • lice (Phthiraptera)
  • mites (Arachnida)
  • ticks (Ixodida)
  • botfly larvae (Oestroidea)
  • Nematoda
  • Cestoda
  • Trematoda
  • Acanthocephala
  • Pentastomida

Ecology 8

Home range up to several hundred ha; males tend to wander more than do females. Population density may fluctuate greatly. Several individuals, mainly females, may share winter den

Behaviour 9

Mephitis mephitis relies primarily on visual displays to ward off predators or unwanted visitors and may resort to a chemical discharge if not left alone. Although they are usually silent, an individual can produce a wide variety of sounds from low growls to birdlike chirps. Little is known about their perception; however, an individual may react to auditory or visual cues at close range. Deprivation in visual, acoustic and even olfactory sensation has been considered a potential result of their defensive capabilities in additional to their passivity.

Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical

Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical

Threats 10

Major Threats

Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) are vulnerable to a variety of mortality agents such as predation, disease, environmental conditions (e.g., severe winter or drought), chemicals, and anthropogenic activities (Gehrt, 2005; Hansen et al., 2004; Rosatte and Larivire, 2003). Another limiting factor in skunk populations are diseases such as rabies and the resultant control programs (Sikes, 1970). Terrestrial rabies apparently was the case for skunks in Illinois, where population fluctuations are closely tied to rabies outbreaks (Verts, 1967). Striped skunk pelts were considered valuable commodities in the fur trade in the first half of the 20th century, but their value and the number of skunks harvested for fur declined dramatically in the 1950's and 1960's as fashions shifted away from long-haired furs (Verts, 1967). Striped skunks may be harvested in most areas of the United States and Canada. In some states, such as Florida, skunks may be taken only in season, but most states allow harvests year-round (Rosatte, 1987).

Sources and Credits

  1. (c) Diotime1 (Diotime), some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/Striped_Skunk_Big_Bend_NP.jpg/460px-Striped_Skunk_Big_Bend_NP.jpg
  2. (c) Flickr, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6087/6087642194_3c1d8dc419_b.jpg
  3. (c) Michael, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3092/3226011817_e21c86fa57_o.jpg
  4. (c) Kevin Collins, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Striped_skunk_Pepe.jpg/460px-Striped_skunk_Pepe.jpg
  5. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mephitis_mephitis
  6. (c) International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/34570074
  7. (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31405796
  8. (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28935184
  9. (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31405793
  10. (c) International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/34570075

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