Striped Skunk
The striped skunk is easily identified by its black body and narrow white stripes that runs from the top of its head backward along its back, like an elongated V. About the size of a large house cat, striped skunks can appear almost anywhere, from our fields and woodlands to even our residential areas. Nocturnal in behavior and rarely encountered, they are more often detected by scent than they are seen. All skunks possess scent glands with an obnoxious odor that they can spray at an antagonist when disturbed. When hit by a vehicle, they usually will spray automatically. Although it may seem that the typical skunk odor is commonplace, they spray only as a last resort. The scent glands, located near the base of the tail, are normally activated only after the animal warns the intruder first. It first will audibly strike the ground with its forefeet and even make short rushes at its enemy before actually using its potent spray. It finally will bring its rear around toward its enemy, with its tail erect, and then discharge fine yellow droplets through small ducts that open just inside the anus. These glands are encased in muscles that can be voluntarily controlled by the animal when the situation demands it. The powerful scent may then be detected miles away during favorable weather. Skunks are omnivorous, feeding on practically any animal they can find that is small enough to capture. Insects may constitute from 50 to 90 percent of their diet, but snakes, frogs and even freshwater clams that are often dug for in loose sand, are utilized. Skunks also love bird eggs and babies. And their few enemies consist of humans, large dogs, coyotes, bobcats, and great horned owls. Few nighttime predators are large enough and aggressive enough to kill a skunk. The skunk’s powerful defense immunizes them effectively from most potential enemies.
|
Login
Favorites
From the Vault
Quick Vote
| Please Rate Our Website |
| Poor | |
| Fair | |
| Average | |
| Good | |
| Excellent |