The pungent aroma of the skunk is iconic with summer and fall nights throughout suburban America. Whether its battles under the bird feeder with the other neighborhood foragers, or a tango with the family dog, the olfactory-piercing oils of the skunk’s defensive spray is well known to most. But as some of us know, not all skunks are alike; and you may be surprised to know that the skunk family is actually quite diverse.
Although closely related to polecats and other members of the weasel family, skunks have recently been re-categorized into their own niche subfamily in the world of North and South American mammals. DNA and evidence from fossil records suggest that skunks actually derived from a single common ancestor about 30-40 million years ago.
Those descendants have since evolved into 12 extant species, broadened into 4 genera; most of which may be a common visitor in your backyard depending on where you live.
Different skunk species will vary in appearance from black-and-white to brown, or even ginger colored, but all species have some form of defensive warning coloration. While not generally aggressive, skunks will defend themselves when threatened, and utilize their offensive oils to confuse and inebriate threats. Skunk musk is produced by glands adjacent to the rectum, and the oily liquid is spritzed via posterior nipples in a spray pattern that can reach upwards of 10 feet (although the foul odor of the oil can travel much farther than that). While the chemical makeup of skunk musk varies by species, each species’ “special sauce” contains compounds called thiols that are the staple component of the foul smell.
Despite their reputation in popular culture, skunks are regarded as beneficial animals (in moderation). Their feeding and cleanup of pests such as small rodents and insects may prove beneficial to gardeners. As scavengers, their cleanup of carrion and other organic matter is a blessing, but also a curse, as this scavenging behavior inevitably leads to trouble when skunks tear into trash bags and raid pet food bowls left unattended for an easy meal. They can also pose a threat to agricultural goods such as corn stalks and poultry (both the birds themselves and eggs), and are skilled predators of bee hives (as their thick fur defends against stings). Particularly in urban areas, their digging can also be a nuisance, leaving holes in lawns, gardens and golf courses in search of grubs, while also seeking den harborage under sheds, porches, crawlspaces and low-clearance decks.
All told, can you name the expansive variants of skunks found in North and South America? We’ve got the list below - just in case.
Striped skunks
(Photo | K. Theule/ USFWS)
The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is the most common species with the most expansive geographical range. Their prominent white stripes on the snout, as well as the stereotypical white v-shaped striping on the back of their bodies makes them easily identifiable. This striping tends to vary from individual to individual - leading some to believe they’ve bore witness to a different species or an “albino” variant. In most cases, the thickness of the white stripe is to blame for mis-identification, as even most striped skunks regarded as “all white” have some black transitions somewhere on the back, neck or belly. Size-wise, this species is usually comparable to that of a house cat, weighing up to 14 pounds - one of the largest of the more “common” skunk species.
Hooded skunks
(Photo | Dmitrij Rodionov)
(Mephitis macroura) are sometimes mistaken for striped skunks and are in fact part of the same genus, but their tails are longer and their fur is softer. Hooded skunks also sport distinctive tufts of fur around their necks. Some hooded skunks have two thin white stripes running down their backs and tails, while others have a single thick stripe and a solid white tail. The hooded skunk prefers grasslands, deserts, and mountain ranges from the Southwestern United States to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and even Costa Rica. This species, like its stripped cousin, is well adapted to urban settings, particularly in Mexico’s pastures and cultivated fields.
Spotted skunks
(Photo | NPS)
Spotted skunks are broken into four distinct species. The Eastern (Spilogale putorius) and Western (Spilogale gracilis) varieties are both found in The United States. If you find yourself questioning a skunk climbing a tree, you’ve likely come upon an Eastern spotted skunk. Eastern spotted skunks have several broken white stripes along their backs accompanied by a black tip on the tail, which is generally shorter than that of other skunks. The Western spotted skunk, instead has a white tip on its tail and broader white stripes on its back. These skunks are smaller, weighing anywhere from 14 ounces to 2 pounds. The Eastern variety is of greater conservation concern. Additional species include the Pygmy spotted skunk (Spilogale pygmaea), and the Southern spotted skunk (Spilogale angustifrons), both found from Mexico, southward. Spotted skunks are well known for their charismatic (and quite impressive) dances to ward off predators - which includes a handstand with rear legs flared out in almost perfect horizontal levelness. The handstand is accompanied by a choreographic pacing. This walking handstand helps make the animal look bigger than they actually are, and shows off their black and white spotted coat.
Hog-nosed skunks
(Photo | Dick Culbert)
(Conepatus mesoleucus) are larger, weighing 2.5 to 6 pounds and marked with a single broad white stripe that runs all the way from nose to tail. They inhabit rocky or sparsely timbered regions of North America, with a majority of that population found in Texas. Their long claws and snouts make them excellent diggers, and they will root through the soil for food. Species within the Conepatus genus include the Molina's hog-nosed skunk and Humboldt's hog-nosed skunk (both found throughout areas of South America), American hog-nosed skunk, and the Striped hog-nosed skunk. Hog-nosed skunks lack the plume-like furry-fan appearance observed on the tails of other skunks.
Stink Badgers
Believe it or not, skunks have as their closest Old World relatives - the stink badgers included in their family tree (or in this case, den). Stink badgers are named for their resemblance to other badgers and, more notably, for the foul-smelling secretions that they expel from anal glands in self-defense - hence the lineage. Stink badgers were traditionally thought to be related to Eurasian badgers and the weasel family (the Mustelidae), but recent DNA analysis indicates they share a more recent common ancestor with that of skunks. There are only two extant species – the Palawan stink badger (M. marchei), and the Sunda stink badger (M. javanensis). They live exclusively in the island region of Indonesia and the Philippines.
The More You Know
For those of you who think a skunk is “just a skunk” - here’s your daily biology lesson. Some other skunk-related facts to keep you occupied:
While most animals will hide or camouflage themselves to avoid predators, skunks rely on a warning instead. For example, striped skunks and hooded skunks will stomp their feet, hiss, puff up their fur or raise their tails before finally resorting to the “smell good” for defense. Spotted skunks will utilize their handstand dance to show off their black and white warning markings.
Skunk musk is generally harmless. However, it can cause nausea and eye irritation in some people, possibly leading to temporary blindness. The foul odor, which is an oil, may linger for days and defy the most valiant attempts to wash it off or cover it up.
Skunks will dig their own burrows, but they much rather prefer occupying dens constructed by other animals - most notably, woodchucks. In many cases, skunks will coexist with woodchucks in separate chamber systems within a burrow - often without one being aware of the other.
If you’re dealing with a skunk problem on your property, be sure to keep yards clean of debris - piles of lumber, rock, wood and brush all may provide skunks a place to harbor. Also be sure to clean up garbage, and refrain from leaving pet food and bird feeders outdoors. Doing so will deter both skunks and their food sources - rodents and insects. Grub treatments on infected lawns can also reduce skunk attraction.
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Although closely related to polecats and other members of the weasel family, skunks have recently been re-categorized into their own niche subfamily in the world of North and South American mammals. Those descendants have since evolved into 12 species, most of which may be a common visitor in your backyard depending on where you live.