Striped Skunk

Mephitis mephitis

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Mammalia · Carnivora · Mephitidae

About

The striped skunk is a skunk of the genus Mephitis that occurs across much of North America, including southern Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico. It is currently listed as least concern by the IUCN on account of its wide range and ability to adapt to human-modified environments.

Fun Fact

A striped skunk's spray contains thiols so potent that the human nose can detect them at concentrations of just 10 parts per billion — and the chemical has been added to natural gas as a safety odorant.

Quick Facts

Habitat

Forests, grasslands, and suburbs

Diet

Omnivore

Lifespan

3-7 years

Threats

Deforestation
Habitat Fragmentation

External Data Sources

Recent sightings on iNaturalist IUCN Red List profile

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