Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)

There is no mistaking these black and white striped animals with their big, fluffy tail, amusing rollicking gait, and unforgettable odor. Mature Skunks may weigh up to 15 pounds or more, are 20 or more inches long, with 10-15 inch long tails. They are omnivorous, eating insects, small vertebrates, and eggs, and vegetable matter. Skunks are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. They do not hibernate but are less active in winter.

Skunks are generally docile, peace-loving animals. They hiss, stamp their feet, and raise their tails to deter their enemies. If that doesn’t work, they spray the foul-smelling contents of their anal glands at the enemy with remarkable accuracy considering that they are shooting backwards!

For information about getting rid of skunk odor, go to: What to do about skunks – Humane Society

Also worth knowing: Skunks were once considered members of the Weasel family because of their appearance. Now they are categorized in the Mephitis family along with other animals that use foul smelling excretions for defense. Mephitis is a Latin word meaning “foul smelling.”