Eastern Spotted Skunk

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Eastern Spotted Skunk Conservation status: Least concern (LR/lc)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Mephitidae Genus: Spilogale Species: S. putorius
Binomial name
Spilogale putorius (Linnaeus, 1758)

The Eastern Spotted Skunk (Spilogale putorius) is a small, relatively slender skunk found throughout the eastern United States.

This small (16-23 inches) skunk is more weasel-like in body shape than the more familiar Striped Skunk. The Eastern Spotted Skunk's stripes are broken in pattern, giving it a "spotted" appearance. They are found in the United States, and are very small. They have a white spot on their forehead. They are much more active than any other type of skunk. They have mostly the same predators as any other skunk (big cats, bobcats, owls, humans, etc.).

Eastern Spotted Skunks seem to prefer forest edges and upland prairie grasslands, especially where rock outcrops and shrub clumps are present. In western counties, it relies heavily on riparian corridors where woody shrubs and woodland edges are present. Woody fencerows, odd areas, and abandoned farm buildings are also important habitat for Eastern Spotted Skunks.

In the picture shown, there is an Eastern Spotted Skunk in leaves, probably in a forest. Click on the picture for a larger image.

[edit] References

• Mustelid Specialist Group (1996). Spilogale putorius. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006.
• Spilogale putorius (TSN 180570). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 18 March 2006.