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Description
The Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is a skunk of the genus Mephitis that occurs across most of North America, including southern Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico. They prefer open areas with a variety of habitats and inhabit a range of areas from wooded areas to riparian canyons, preferring habitats that are thick and brushy. Striped skunks are the biggest of the skunk species. They are easily identifiable by the white stripe running from head to tail and each individual has a unique pattern of stripes. As members of the weasel family Mustelidae, they share the characteristics of a musky odor and well-developed scent glands. The skunk excels at this potential and can discharge a foul-smelling fluid as a means of defense. A skunk's spray is an oily liquid produced by glands under its large tail. To employ this scent bomb, a skunk turns around and blasts its foe with a foul mist that can travel as far as ten feet.

Diet and Nutrition: Its diet includes insects, fish, crustaceans, small mammals, fruits, nuts, grasses leaves and carrion.

Social: Striped skunks are solitary animals, although male and female skunks may form temporary pairings or harems during the mating season.

Size: 13 to 34 inches long and weigh 7 ounce to 14 pounds.

Description
The Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is a skunk of the genus Mephitis that occurs across most of North America, including southern Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico. They prefer open areas with a variety of habitats and inhabit a range of areas from wooded areas to riparian canyons, preferring habitats that are thick and brushy. Striped skunks are the biggest of the skunk species. They are easily identifiable by the white stripe running from head to tail and each individual has a unique pattern of stripes. As members of the weasel family Mustelidae, they share the characteristics of a musky odor and well-developed scent glands. The skunk excels at this potential and can discharge a foul-smelling fluid as a means of defense. A skunk's spray is an oily liquid produced by glands under its large tail. To employ this scent bomb, a skunk turns around and blasts its foe with a foul mist that can travel as far as ten feet.

Diet and Nutrition: Its diet includes insects, fish, crustaceans, small mammals, fruits, nuts, grasses leaves and carrion.

Social: Striped skunks are solitary animals, although male and female skunks may form temporary pairings or harems during the mating season.

Size: 13 to 34 inches long and weigh 7 ounce to 14 pounds.