SKUNK
Both Striped and Spotted Skunks are found in California. Striped Skunks are the larger of the two, with a head and body of 13-18 inches and a bushy tail of 7-10 inches. The obvious characteristic white stripe starts at the forehead, divides in two at the shoulders, and then often extends all the way back to the tip of the tail. There is much variation in the stripe—width, length, etc. The Striped Skunk is the one usually found dead alongside roads, and is very detectable by their odor.
Spotted Skunks are only 9-13 inches long, with a tail of 5-9 inches in length. They have a combination of spots on the head and broken stripes on the body, with a white tip on the tail.
Striped and Spotted Skunks are found relatively close to a source of water, and prefer open country—brushy areas, mixed woodland, and foothills. They have a wide variety of foods including insects, berries, mice, rats, snails, snakes, carrion, and garbage. Dens are created under abandoned buildings, rockpiles, woodpiles, and boulders. They do not hibernate, but in cold weather several females may den together while males almost always remain solitary. They are entirely nocturnal, and have been harvested for their pelts which have some value. They also can be of some value in getting rid of mice and rats, but may kill poultry. In urban areas they will go after pet food, and may damage lawns.
Life Cycle
Striped--A litter of about 5-10 young are born in May each year after a gestation period of 63 days. They follow the mother out of the den in June or July, walking in single file. Spotted--A litter of about 4-7 young are born in May or June after a gestation period of 120 days. They wean from their mother after 50 days. |
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