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Description
The Western Spotted Skunk (Spilogale gracilis) is a spotted skunk of western North America. Adults are boldly striped black and creamy white in color; they have three longitudinal stripes on each side of the front part of the body, and three vertical stripes on the hind-parts. In special cases, the normally black areas of the fur can appear in shades of red or brown, and areas of the skunk that traditionally appear white may appear in shades of gray or yellow. The face is marked with a white spot between the eyes, and a white patch below each ear. The animal has a conspicuously large, long-haired tail. The hair on the tail is mostly black, but is white at the tip, and sometimes also on the upper surface. The claws on the fore-feet are longer, and more curved than those on the hind feet. Western spotted skunks are found throughout the western United States, northern Mexico, and southwestern British Columbia. They live in mixed woodlands, open grasslands, farmlands, near streams, human buildings, and other disturbed areas. Their preferred habitats differ greatly depending on what resources are available in the immediate area. In areas such as Idaho and Washington, they prefer riparian areas that have brush thickets in which to hide and forage. In contrast, Western spotted skunks that live in areas such as eastern Oregon or northern Mexico can often be found near cliffs and canyons. Like all skunks, these animals have two scent glands that spray a very foul-smelling musk. When threatened, Western spotted skunks will stamp their fore-feet before raising their hind parts in the air and showing their conspicuous warning coloration. While they can spray by standing on their forelegs and raising their hind legs and tail in the air, they more commonly do so with all four feet on the ground; they bend their body around so that both their head and their tail face the attacker.

Diet and Nutrition: They feed on insects, small vertebrates, such as mice and lizards, and berries. They have even been reported to consume scorpions in the southwest.

Social: Western spotted skunks are usually solitary, although sometimes two or three females will share a single den.

Size: 14 to 18 inches long, Males weigh 11.9 to 25.9 ounces./ Females weigh 8.0 to 17.0 ounces.

Description
The Western Spotted Skunk (Spilogale gracilis) is a spotted skunk of western North America. Adults are boldly striped black and creamy white in color; they have three longitudinal stripes on each side of the front part of the body, and three vertical stripes on the hind-parts. In special cases, the normally black areas of the fur can appear in shades of red or brown, and areas of the skunk that traditionally appear white may appear in shades of gray or yellow. The face is marked with a white spot between the eyes, and a white patch below each ear. The animal has a conspicuously large, long-haired tail. The hair on the tail is mostly black, but is white at the tip, and sometimes also on the upper surface. The claws on the fore-feet are longer, and more curved than those on the hind feet. Western spotted skunks are found throughout the western United States, northern Mexico, and southwestern British Columbia. They live in mixed woodlands, open grasslands, farmlands, near streams, human buildings, and other disturbed areas. Their preferred habitats differ greatly depending on what resources are available in the immediate area. In areas such as Idaho and Washington, they prefer riparian areas that have brush thickets in which to hide and forage. In contrast, Western spotted skunks that live in areas such as eastern Oregon or northern Mexico can often be found near cliffs and canyons. Like all skunks, these animals have two scent glands that spray a very foul-smelling musk. When threatened, Western spotted skunks will stamp their fore-feet before raising their hind parts in the air and showing their conspicuous warning coloration. While they can spray by standing on their forelegs and raising their hind legs and tail in the air, they more commonly do so with all four feet on the ground; they bend their body around so that both their head and their tail face the attacker.

Diet and Nutrition: They feed on insects, small vertebrates, such as mice and lizards, and berries. They have even been reported to consume scorpions in the southwest.

Social: Western spotted skunks are usually solitary, although sometimes two or three females will share a single den.

Size: 14 to 18 inches long, Males weigh 11.9 to 25.9 ounces./ Females weigh 8.0 to 17.0 ounces.