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Predators
Striped skunk
Striped skunk · Mephitis mephitis
The striped skunk impresses with its striking stripe pattern and a very special strategy for self-defence.
Fact file
- Size
- Compact body, weighing 2 to 4 kg, around 30 to 40 cm long plus up to 40 cm tail
- Males and females
- Males are usually slightly larger than females
- Sounds
- Short squeaks as well as quiet growling and typical scratching in the undergrowth
- Diet
- Omnivore, eats insects, small vertebrates, berries and rubbish
- Offspring
- Four to seven young are born in spring after around 60 days
How to identify Striped skunk
The striped skunk is immediately noticeable for its glossy, mostly deep-black fur marked by two distinctive white stripes. These stripes run from the head along the back to the base of the tail. The bushy tail is often black interspersed with white hairs, which makes it stand out even more.
Typical for the striped skunk is its stocky build with a short neck, tapering face and small round ears. Fully grown animals look like a compact little bundle that conspicuously walks on its toes. The white markings vary from individual to individual, but always make the animal easy to recognise.
More in the app
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- general viewing tips
Where Striped skunk live
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