OCTOBER 1989 - City of Boulder

'-98-
STRIPED SKUNK
Mephitis mephitis
Distribution--The range of the striped skunk extends from southern
Canada to northern Mexico and through most of the United States, except
for the most arid regions. Coloradan skunks occupy most of the state,
especially wooded urban areas and heavily cultivated areas. In Boulder
County, skunks are most cormaon in woodland and riparian ecosystems,
but may be encountered anywhere.
Description-The characteristic color pattern of these skunks
makes them easily distinguishable from other mammals. Skunks are most
commonly black with a white dorsal stripe, but there are color morphs
of seal brown and yellow. Another common trait is a white tuft at the
end of the tail. Two males and a female from eastern Colorado showed
the following external measurements: total length, 640, 745, 640; tail,
285, 320, 285; hindfoot, 75, 75, 75. .Condylobasal length of 16 males
averaged 77.38 (73.4-82.9) , of all females, 69.96 (68.3-71.7) ; zygomatic
breadth, 50.19 (44.8-52.6), 44.44 (43..2-46.2). Females average about
2.5 kg., males perhaps 5 kg.
Natural Histoxy-The habitats of skunks vary greatly from woodlands
to cultivated fields to urban areas. Although skunks themselves normally
do not burrow, they inhabit single-entranced burrows abandcned by
badgers and woodchucks. They use these burrows as shelter in the
vinter and females cmunally occupy them throughout the year to protect
their young. Skunks do not hibernate and are mostly nocturnal.
Skunks are opportunistic feeders. 'They eat insects, especially
grasshoppers, fallen fruit and foliage, small mammals, birds' eggs, "
and nestlings, and carrion.
The breeding season is in February and March and the yoMg are
born 60 to 77 days later. The females have one litter of two to ten
young which are altricial and remain in or near the nest for at least
two months.
Flying predators, such as eagles and owls, often prey on striped
skunks, as do terrestrial predators, including coyotes, badgers, and
foxes. Skunks have a unique and well known defense mechanism of spraying
musk from their anal canal up to 6 meters. This foul smell repels many
predators. Their distinctive coloration provides added protection by
warning would-be predators of their potential. These defenses are not
effective against vehicles, of course, and hence, skunks become traffic
fatalities to a disproportionate extent. Striped skunks carry numerous
parasites and diseases of which rabies causes the most concern.
Selected References-Verts (1967); Wade-Smith and Verts (1982).
I
.