Hands Down Animals · Printable fact sheet
Skunk
Mephitidae
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Mephitidae |
|---|---|
| Size | 33–82 cm (head-body + tail); size varies with species |
| Weight | 1.2–5.5 kg (varies by species, typically 2–4 kg for most common skunks) |
| Lifespan | Average 2–4 years in the wild, up to 7 years recorded |
| Diet | Omnivorous: invertebrates (insects, grubs, larvae), small mammals, bird eggs, fruit, berries, seeds, and… |
| Habitat | Forests, Grasslands, Scrublands |
| Where it lives | United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America |
| IUCN status | Most species: Least Concern (one species, Eastern Spotted Skunk: Vulnerable) |
| Population | Unknown; common in most of their range |
| Top speed | 16 km/h |
| Family | Mephitidae |
About the skunk
Skunks live across the Americas from Canada to Argentina, and the striped skunk is a common sight in North American suburbs, foraging at night for insects, grubs, small rodents and fruit. When threatened it stamps, raises its tail and, as a last resort, sprays an oily sulphur compound from glands beside the tail that reaches 3 metres or more and can be smelled a kilometre away. Skunks are Least Concern and are one of the main carriers of rabies in North America.
Five things to know
- Skunks are best known for their potent defensive spray, containing sulfur-based compounds.
- They belong to their own family, Mephitidae, separate from mustelids like weasels.
- Most are nocturnal and highly adaptable to urban, rural, and natural habitats.
- Spotted skunks can perform a handstand before spraying as a warning!
- The skunk's warning coloration of black and white is a classic example of aposematism.
Homeschool unit: Animals homeschool guide — Habitats, adaptations and food chains as a graded unit, with the skunk as one of its worked examples.