How far can a striped skunk spray its musk?

It can accurately spray its scent glands' musk at targets several meters away as a defense against predators.

What do striped skunks eat?

They are omnivorous, favoring insects such as grasshoppers and beetles, but also eating small mammals, bird eggs, and fruit depending on the season.

Do striped skunks hibernate in winter?

No, they often stay in dens during cold weather but do not undergo true hibernation.

Striped Skunkスカンク

Mephitis mephitisLC— Least Concern

The striped skunk is a North American mammal easily recognized by its black coat with two broad white stripes running down the back. Mostly nocturnal and solitary, it feeds on insects, small rodents, eggs, and fruit, and defends itself with a powerful, foul-smelling spray from glands near its tail. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN and remains common across its wide range.

Striped Skunk (reference photo) — Photo: Dan & Lin Dzurisin / CC BY 2.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Carnivora / Mephitidae Source
Size: Body length about 40–68 cm
Weight: About 0.5–3 kg (up to about 5.5 kg recorded in captivity)
Lifespan: Wild: about 3–5 years / captive: about 8–10 years
Diet: Omnivore Omnivorous, eating small mammals such as mice, bird eggs, insects, and fruit; favors insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and larvae, and takes rodents and plant matter seasonally
Activity: Nocturnal and solitary
Distribution: The striped skunk is found across much of North America, including southern Canada, the contiguous United States, and northern Mexico. Source
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Did You Know?

It can spray a powerful musk—largely composed of butyl mercaptan—from its anal glands, accurately hitting targets several meters away. Source
Before spraying, it typically gives warning signals such as stamping its front feet and raising its tail to display the anal region. Source
It often holes up in dens during winter but does not undergo true hibernation, and in the United States it is a leading rabies carrier second only to raccoons. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 0

Verified individual animals and facilities will be added as official information becomes available.

Former facilities

North Safari SapporoHokkaidoOpened in 2005

Source

Closed: 2025-09-30 Official Site

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Least Concern (LC)

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

How far can a striped skunk spray its musk?: It can accurately spray its scent glands' musk at targets several meters away as a defense against predators. Source
What do striped skunks eat?: They are omnivorous, favoring insects such as grasshoppers and beetles, but also eating small mammals, bird eggs, and fruit depending on the season. Source
Do striped skunks hibernate in winter?: No, they often stay in dens during cold weather but do not undergo true hibernation. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?: Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 0 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org