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| Common Name: | Striped skunks | Family: | Mephitidae |
| Latin Name: | Mephitis mephitis | Diet: | Omnivore |
| Type: | Mammal | Habitat: | Woodlands, Grasslands |
| Native To: | North America | Social Unit: | Various |
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least concern |
Striped skunks at Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh Zoo has two striped skunks: a male named Fergus, who was born in February 2006, and a female named Fatma who was born in 2003. Fergus and came to Edinburgh Zoo in 2006, while Fatma came to us in 2005 from Montpellier Zoo, France.
Where it can be seen at Edinburgh Zoo
Fergus and Fatma can be found just north of the duck ponds, across from the tree porcupines. The best time to see them is in the early morning or late afternoon.
Striped skunks in the wild
Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) are native to North America, with a range that stretches from central Canada throughout the United States and into northern Mexico. They live in a large range of habitats including woodland, plains and desert areas.
The striped skunk is best known for its distinctive black coat with a white stripe on its head and down each side of its body. The skunk has a wide, bushy tail that sometimes has a white tip or stripe, but usually has white and black hairs mixed together. Each striped skunk has a unique stripe pattern. They have short, stocky legs and a compact body about the size of a house cat. They have a rounded head with small ears and a short, pointed muzzle.
The other feature skunks are best known by is their smell! Skunks have evolved a powerful defensive weapon in their ability to spray a horrible-smelling liquid from their anal glands. Skunks generally do not deploy this weapon unless they are in serious danger. When a predator threatens, a skunk gives warning by arching its back, raising its tail, and stamping its front feet. If the attacker continues, the skunk turns and sprays two streams of fluid from the scent glands located just inside its anus. The spray can travel up to 2 – 3 metres (6 – 9 feet), and causes nausea and burning in the eyes and nasal cavities of the target. The oily spray is extremely difficult to get off, and the smell lingers for days. Because of this defensive weapon, it is rare that mammals prey on striped skunks. It is more common for large birds of prey such as great horned owls to prey on the striped skunk.
Striped skunks are omnivores, eating a great variety of food stuffs including insects (which can represent up to 70 percent of their diet), small mammals such as mice, birds and their eggs, grubs, nuts, plants, berries, grains, and carrion. Skunks are crepuscular, meaning that they are most active at dawn and dusk.
IUCN Red List category: Least Concern
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