Skunk
(Scientific Name: Mephitis
mephitis)
Description:
Striped skunks are easily recognized by their characteristic colors
and pattern. The fur is black with a white stripe that begins as a
triangular shape on the top of the head, forks into two stripes that
travel down the sides of the back, and usually merges again near the
base of the tail. Another white stripe runs from the base of the
snout between the eyes and ends on the forehead. Stripe width and
length vary with each individual. Stripes sometimes occur on the
tail, but more often the tail is composed of both black and white
hairs intermixed. Mephitis
mephitis is about the size of a domestic cat, with a small
head, small ears, short legs, and a long, fluffy tail. Feet are
plantigrade with five partially webbed toes. Claws are longer on the
front feet to aid in digging. The skull is distinct from other
carnivores in having only one molar on each side of the upper jaw
and two on each side of the lower jaw. The upper molars have a
characteristic square shape.
Habitat:
Mephitis
mephitis prefers somewhat open areas with a mixture of
habitats such as woods, grasslands, and agricultural clearings. They
are usually never found further than two miles from a water source.
They are also often found in suburban areas because of the abundance
of buildings that provide them with cover.
