With overall black pelage, they have a thin, white stripe along the center-top of their snout and forehead as well as a prominent white marking on their nape. Striped skunks are easily distinguishable by their coloration pattern. Average elevation sea level to 1,800 m ft.Range elevation sea level to 4,200 m to ft.( Chapman and Feldhamer, 1982 Kurta, 1995 Wade-Smith and Verts, 1982 Whitaker, 1996) mephitis is found at elevations from sea level to 1,800 m, but have been documented as high as 4,200 m. Other habitats may include scrubland, riparian areas and urban environments. Over time, however, they have become more prominent in areas of extreme cultivation as well as in suburban neighborhoods. Mephitis mephitis is commonly found in a variety of habitats including woodlands, forests, wooded ravines and grassy plains. They also range to the south over a portion of northern Mexico. From east to west, they reach from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, covering most of the continental United States and southern regions of Canada. They can either dig these burrows themselves, or use dens leftover by other species.Striped skunks ( Mephitis mephitis) have a range spanning most of North America. They spend the day in burrows in open forests, grasslands, agricultural areas, meadows, open fields, and rocky montane areas. Hooded and striped skunks range from southern Canada to Costa Rica, hog-nosed skunks range from the Southern United States to Argentina, and spotted skunks range from Southern British Columbia in the west, and Pennsylvania in the east, south to Costa Rica. Skunks live in different areas depending on their species. They shelter in their burrows during the day. Skunks are commonly active during the night, but they are actually crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the twilight period. During this time they eat very little and sleep quite a lot. Skunks do not actually hibernate, but in the coldest months will stay huddled in their dens and become pretty inactive. They will also eat berries, roots, leaves, grasses, fungi and nuts. These include larvae, earthworms, grubs, rodents, lizards, salamanders, frogs, snakes, birds, moles, and eggs. Skunks are omnivores and eat a variety of different foods. These animals are not vocal, but sometimes communicate with grunts, growls, and hisses. Over winter, multiple females (as many as 12) huddle together. During this time, they remain generally inactive and feed rarely, going through a dormant stage. Skunks do not actually hibernate during the winter, but do go into their dens for extended periods of time. While skunks do not spray each other, they will fight with their teeth and claws over den space. They are crepuscular, but also hunt during the night, spending the day sheltering in their burrows which they can dig with their powerful front claws.Īside from using their spray and their warning coloration to deter predators, skunks also hiss, foot-stamp and exhibit threat postures. They are not typically aggressive towards each other, but males will defend females during the mating season. Skunks are usually solitary animals when they are not breeding, although may gather together for communal warmth in the coldest parts of their range.
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