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Mephitis mephitis |
Physical DescriptionMost skunks are black and white but some can be shades of brown. They all have either stripes or spots on there backs and/or sides. They have long claws on their front feet to help them dig. All types of skunks can spray musk. There usually about the size of a house cat but can weigh anywhere between 1 and 14 pounds depending on the skunk. There size can very from 7-19 inches.Diet and Feeding HabitsThey are all omnivores and they eat small mammals, insects, leaves and some grasses.ReproductionSkunk breeding takes place from February through March. Gestation period is between 62 and 72 days. The average litter size is 5 to 7 young. When babies are born there is little of no hair on them, but you can see the white and black marks. The babies nurse for about a month and a half, them they follow their mother around. A year after reaching adulthood, they leave.HabitatSkunk breeding takes place from February through March. Gestation period is between 62 and 72 days. The average litter size is 5 to 7 young. When babies are born there is little of no hair on them, but you can see the white and black marks. The babies nurse for about a month and a half, them they follow their mother around. A year after reaching adulthood, they leave.Role in the EcosystemThe skunk is an omnivore and eat small animals, leaves, and sometimes grass. There is an economic advantage to having a skunk around as well as a disadvantage. Skunks eat rats and other rodents and insects that could damage crops. Disadvantage: Smell, and they sometimes raid chicken coups.Interesting Facts1. Baby skunks know how to spray musk before they can walk!2. Skunks are resistant to snake venom and can survive 10 times the venom needed to kill an animal of that size! 3. A skunk can spray it’s musk up to 16 feet and up to 10 feet accurately! 4. Skunks are the chief carrier of rabies! 5. Skunks will only spray each other during aggressive encounters! 6. Skunks are nocturnal! 7. The skunks musk, once sprayed, can be smelled by human from a mile away! Bibliographyhttp://www.rw.ttu.edu/sp_accounts/striped%20skunk/foodhabits.htmhttp://www.rw.ttu.edu/sp_accounts/striped%20skunk/economics.htm http://www.rw.ttu.edu/sp_accounts/striped%20skunk/description.htm http://www.rw.ttu.edu/sp_accounts/striped%20skunk/reproduction.htm http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex4663?opendocument http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ecosystem http://www.vickifox.com/skunk_facts.php http://www.skygaze.com/content/facts/animals.shtml http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Mephitis_mephitis.html Oxford American Dictionary To Top of Page |
Skunk