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Mephitis mephitis

(Schreber, 1776)

Striped Skunk

G5Secure Found in 202 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.104432
Element CodeAMAJF06010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassMammalia
OrderCarnivora
FamilyMephitidae
GenusMephitis
Other Common Names
Mouffette rayée (FR) striped skunk (EN)
Concept Reference
Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder (editors). 1993. Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC. xviii + 1206 pp. Available online at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/msw/.
Taxonomic Comments
Based on patterns of mtDNA variation in Mustelidae, Dragoo and Honeycut (1997) recommended that skunks (Mehitis, Conepatus, Spilogale) and the Oriental stink badger (MYDAUS) be separated as a distinct family (Mephitidae). Wozencraft (in Wilson and Reeder 2005) recognized the family Mephitidae.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-04-04
Change Date1996-11-18
Range Extent Comments
Throughout much of North America, from northern Baja California, northern Durango, northern Tamaulipas, and Florida to central Canada (southwestern Northwest Territories, Hudson Bay, southern Quebec).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Prefers semi-open country with woodland and meadows interspersed, brushy areas, bottomland woods. Frequently found in suburban areas. Dens often under rocks, log, or building. May excavate burrow or use burrow abandoned by other mammal.

Ecology

Home range up to several hundred ha; males tend to wander more than do females. Population density may fluctuate greatly. Several individuals, mainly females, may share winter den

Reproduction

Breeds February-late March, peak in mid-February. Reported pregnancy rate is 78-96%. Gestation lasts 62-68 days. Litter of 2-10 (average 6-8) is born from late April to early June; one litter per year. Young are weaned and begin to follow female at 6-7 weeks; some on their own by fall. Sexually mature in first spring.
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest - HardwoodForest - ConiferForest - MixedWoodland - HardwoodWoodland - ConiferWoodland - MixedSavannaGrassland/herbaceousOld fieldDesertBare rock/talus/screeCropland/hedgerowSuburban/orchard
Palustrine Habitats
HERBACEOUS WETLANDFORESTED WETLANDRiparian
Other Nations (2)
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
CaliforniaSNRYes
District of ColumbiaS4Yes
South CarolinaS5Yes
WisconsinS5Yes
VermontS5Yes
FloridaSNRYes
AlabamaS4Yes
New YorkS5Yes
ColoradoS5Yes
ConnecticutS5Yes
West VirginiaS5Yes
MassachusettsS5Yes
Rhode IslandS5Yes
ArkansasS5Yes
OhioSNRYes
North CarolinaS4Yes
WashingtonS5Yes
South DakotaS5Yes
LouisianaS4Yes
MinnesotaSNRYes
IndianaS5Yes
GeorgiaS5Yes
NebraskaS5Yes
North DakotaS5Yes
New MexicoS5Yes
IllinoisS5Yes
NevadaS5Yes
VirginiaS5Yes
MichiganS5Yes
OregonS5Yes
MaineS5Yes
MontanaS5Yes
PennsylvaniaS5Yes
OklahomaSNRYes
IowaS5Yes
KansasS5Yes
TennesseeS5Yes
DelawareS5Yes
MississippiS5Yes
New HampshireS5Yes
New JerseyS5Yes
Navajo NationS5Yes
UtahS5Yes
WyomingS5Yes
KentuckyS5Yes
IdahoS5Yes
ArizonaS5Yes
TexasS5Yes
MissouriS5Yes
MarylandS5Yes
CanadaN5
ProvinceRankNative
Prince Edward IslandSNANo
AlbertaS5Yes
QuebecS5Yes
Northwest TerritoriesSUYes
ManitobaS5Yes
OntarioS5Yes
British ColumbiaS5Yes
SaskatchewanS5Yes
New BrunswickS5Yes
Nova ScotiaS5Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
5 - Biological resource use——High (continuing)
5.1 - Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals——High (continuing)
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases——High (continuing)
8.2 - Problematic native species/diseases——High (continuing)
9 - Pollution——High (continuing)
9.3 - Agricultural & forestry effluents——High (continuing)
11 - Climate change & severe weather——High (continuing)
11.2 - Droughts——High (continuing)
11.3 - Temperature extremes——High (continuing)

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Roadless Areas (202)
Alabama (1)
AreaForestAcres
Blue MountainTalladega National Forest4,986
Arizona (15)
AreaForestAcres
Black CrossTonto National Forest5,966
BoulderTonto National Forest40,359
Cdo WsaCoronado National Forest1,955
ChiricahuaCoronado National Forest76,876
GaliuroCoronado National Forest28,333
HackberryCoconino National Forest17,885
Lime CreekTonto National Forest42,568
Lower Dragoon RoadlessCoronado National Forest1,165
Lower San FranciscoApache-Sitgreaves National Forests59,310
MazatzalTonto National Forest16,942
Middle Dragoon RoadlessCoronado National Forest10,543
PinalenoCoronado National Forest130,920
Sierra Ancha Wilderness ContiguousTonto National Forest7,787
Upper Dragoon RoadlessCoronado National Forest2,533
WhetstoneCoronado National Forest20,728
Arkansas (2)
AreaForestAcres
Blue MountainOuachita National Forest9,755
Richland CreekOzark-St. Francis National Forest571
California (60)
AreaForestAcres
AntimonyLos Padres National Forest40,911
Arroyo SecoAngeles National Forest4,703
Barker ValleyCleveland National Forest11,940
Bear MountainLos Padres National Forest913
Black ButteLos Padres National Forest5,116
Black Mtn.Sequoia National Forest15,102
Bonanza KingShasta-Trinity National Forest16,402
CalienteCleveland National Forest5,953
CamuesaLos Padres National Forest8,209
Chalk PeakLos Padres National Forest7,472
ChannellSequoia National Forest45,429
ChicoSequoia National Forest39,836
City CreekSan Bernardino National Forest9,997
Cow CreekShasta-Trinity National Forest22,627
Coyote NorthInyo National Forest11,932
Coyote SoutheastInyo National Forest53,159
Deep CreekSan Bernardino National Forest23,869
Devil GulchSierra National Forest30,490
Dry LakesLos Padres National Forest17,043
EagleShasta-Trinity National Forest6,553
Eagle PeakCleveland National Forest6,481
Fox MountainLos Padres National Forest52,072
Garcia MountainLos Padres National Forest7,850
HortonInyo National Forest5,717
IshiLassen National Forest21,805
JuncalLos Padres National Forest12,289
LaddCleveland National Forest5,300
Little French CShasta-Trinity National Forest11,529
Machesna MountainLos Padres National Forest12,271
Magic MountainAngeles National Forest15,542
Malduce BuckhornLos Padres National Forest14,177
MatilijaLos Padres National Forest5,218
Middle ForkPlumas National Forest29,278
MillModoc National Forest321
Mill CreekSequoia National Forest27,643
Mill PeakSan Bernardino National Forest7,884
MonoLos Padres National Forest28,141
MosesSequoia National Forest22,077
Mt. Shasta BShasta-Trinity National Forest2,809
No NameCleveland National Forest4,897
NordhoffLos Padres National Forest12,031
North MountainStanislaus National Forest7,856
Orleans Mtn. BSix Rivers National Forest17,183
Pine CreekCleveland National Forest503
Pleasant ViewAngeles National Forest26,395
PortugueseKlamath National Forest18,915
Red MountainAngeles National Forest8,034
Rock Creek WestInyo National Forest3,626
San DimasAngeles National Forest7,160
Santa CruzLos Padres National Forest21,182
Sespe - FrazierAngeles National Forest4,254
Sespe - FrazierLos Padres National Forest106,910
Sill HillCleveland National Forest5,294
Strawberry PeakAngeles National Forest7,245
TequepisLos Padres National Forest9,080
Timbered CraterLassen National Forest4,096
TuleAngeles National Forest9,861
West ForkAngeles National Forest1,169
Wheeler RidgeInyo National Forest15,744
White LedgeLos Padres National Forest18,632
Colorado (2)
AreaForestAcres
Dome PeakRoutt NF35,716
Long ParkRoutt NF42,100
Idaho (5)
AreaForestAcres
Bear CreekCaribou-Targhee National Forest118,582
NeedlesPayette National Forest131,279
PalisadesCaribou-Targhee National Forest122,002
Pioneer MountainsSawtooth National Forest119,563
Pioneer MountainsSalmon-Challis National Forest172,460
Indiana (1)
AreaForestAcres
Mogan RidgeHoosier National Forest8,435
Montana (16)
AreaForestAcres
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLolo National Forest118,485
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLewis and Clark National Forest344,022
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanHelena National Forest51,360
Bmss Ra 1485Flathead National Forest334,275
BridgerGallatin National Forest45,059
Buckhorn Ridge (MT)Kootenai National Forest34,716
Gallatin FringeGallatin National Forest51,571
HoodooLolo National Forest105,162
Hyalite - Porcupine - Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study AreaGallatin National Forest143,991
Marston Face # 172Kootenai National Forest9,098
Mt. Gmt Area HCuster National Forest1,335
North Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest52,227
Northwest PeaksKootenai National Forest15,358
Selway - Bitterroot (01067)Bitterroot National Forest114,953
Ten Lakes #683Kootenai National Forest48,545
West Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest133,563
Nevada (11)
AreaForestAcres
Bunker HillHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest27,569
Jobs Peak (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,342
Pearl PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest71,405
Rose - EvansHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,782
Rose - Whites CanyonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,568
Ruby - Lamoille CynHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest32,771
Ruby - SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest13,195
Santa RosaHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest54,555
Snake - Peacock CynHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,069
South SchellHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest125,614
Toiyabe RangeHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest99,225
New Mexico (18)
AreaForestAcres
Black CanyonSanta Fe National Forest1,922
Chama WS RiverSanta Fe National Forest4,168
Columbine - Hondo Wilderness Study AreaCarson National Forest43,739
Comales CanyonCarson National Forest4,389
Contiguous To Gila Wilderness & Primitive AreaGila National Forest79,049
Gila BoxGila National Forest23,759
Guaje CanyonSanta Fe National Forest6,104
Jacks CreekSanta Fe National Forest740
Juan de Gabaldon GrantSanta Fe National Forest8,023
Little TesuqueSanta Fe National Forest815
Ortega PeakLincoln National Forest11,545
PecosCarson National Forest13,436
Pecos WS RiverSanta Fe National Forest5,396
Peloncillo (NM)Coronado National Forest43,339
RendijaSanta Fe National Forest2,176
San Pedro ParksSanta Fe National Forest5,824
Sawyers PeakGila National Forest59,743
West Face Sacramento MountainsLincoln National Forest41,176
Oregon (13)
AreaForestAcres
Grande RondeWallowa-Whitman National Forest5,650
Grande RondeUmatilla National Forest12,296
Hardesty MountainUmpqua National Forest2,597
Hardesty MountainWillamette National Forest3,754
HellholeUmatilla National Forest65,679
Limpy RockUmpqua National Forest6,782
Maiden PeakDeschutes National Forest26,432
Maiden PeakWillamette National Forest9,627
Metolius BreaksDeschutes National Forest11,141
Mt. JeffersonDeschutes National Forest2,282
Shasta CostaSiskiyou National Forests14,420
Sky Lakes AWinema National Forest3,940
Waldo - FujiWillamette National Forest15,273
Pennsylvania (2)
AreaForestAcres
CornplanterAllegheny National Forest2,929
Tracy RidgeAllegheny National Forest9,034
South Dakota (1)
AreaForestAcres
Indian CreekBuffalo Gap National Grassland24,666
Tennessee (3)
AreaForestAcres
Devil's BackboneCherokee National Forest4,287
Sampson Mountain AdditionCherokee National Forest3,064
Stone MountainCherokee National Forest5,367
Texas (1)
AreaForestAcres
Big CreekNational Forests in Texas1,447
Utah (23)
AreaForestAcres
0401001Ashley National Forest11,705
418002Uinta National Forest19,152
418012Uinta National Forest25,758
418014Uinta National Forest9,683
418015Uinta National Forest17,289
418016Uinta National Forest35,240
418024Uinta National Forest51,699
418025Uinta National Forest32,698
418044Uinta National Forest5,495
Lone Peak ContiguousWasatch-Cache National Forest874
Mahogany RangeWasatch-Cache National Forest11,409
Mollens HollowWasatch-Cache National Forest17,690
Mt. AireWasatch-Cache National Forest9,681
Mt. Logan NorthWasatch-Cache National Forest18,930
Mt. Logan SouthWasatch-Cache National Forest17,014
North FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest8,148
Oak CreekFishlake National Forest54,053
PavantFishlake National Forest42,560
Pine Valley MountainsDixie National Forest57,673
Right Hand Fork LoganWasatch-Cache National Forest15,023
South FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest3,374
Upper South ForkWasatch-Cache National Forest16,811
WellsvilleWasatch-Cache National Forest1,717
Virginia (8)
AreaForestAcres
Bear CreekJefferson National Forest18,274
Brush MountainJefferson National Forest6,002
Garden MountainJefferson National Forest3,960
JerkemtightGeorge Washington National Forest16,687
Oak KnobGeorge Washington National Forest10,882
Oliver MountainGeorge Washington National Forest13,090
Peters Mountain Addition BJefferson National Forest2,909
Southern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest11,985
Washington (6)
AreaForestAcres
Clackamas MountainOkanogan National Forest12,478
Granite MountainOkanogan National Forest27,428
Pasayten RimOkanogan National Forest17,074
SawtoothOkanogan National Forest122,194
Slide RidgeWenatchee National Forest11,430
TeanawayWenatchee National Forest72,849
West Virginia (2)
AreaForestAcres
Dry River (WV)George Washington National Forest7,331
Little MountainMonongahela National Forest8,172
Wyoming (12)
AreaForestAcres
Franc's PeakShoshone National Forest68,561
Grayback RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest295,113
Horse Creek MesaBighorn National Forest77,808
Middle ForkShoshone National Forest51,772
Middle ForkMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest13,238
Munger MountainBridger-Teton National Forest12,827
PalisadesTarghee National Forest1,121
Phillips RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest10,108
Salt River RangeBridger-Teton National Forest235,661
West Slope TetonsTarghee National Forest47,448
Wilderness Study AreaTarghee National Forest51,961
Winegar HoleTarghee National Forest247
References (24)
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  3. Baker, R. H. 1983. Michigan mammals. Michigan State University Press. 642 pp.
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  5. Bickle, C. A., J. F. Kirkpatrick, and J. W. Turner, Jr. 1991. Contraception in striped skunks with Norplant implants. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 19:334-338.
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  16. Jones, J. K., Jr., R. S. Hoffman, D. W. Rice, C. Jones, R. J. Baker, and M. D. Engstrom. 1992a. Revised checklist of North American mammals north of Mexico, 1991. Occasional Papers, The Museum, Texas Tech University, 146:1-23.
  17. Linzey, D.W. 2016. Mammals of Great Smoky Mountains National Park: 2016 revision. Southeastern Naturalist 15(Monograph 8):1–93.
  18. Phillips, M. L., W. R. Clark, S. M. Nusser, M. A. Sovada, and R. J. Greenwood. 2004. Analysis of predator movement in prairie landscapes with contrasting grassland composition. Journal of Mammalogy 85:187-195.
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  20. Storm, G. L. 1972. Daytime retreats and movements of skunks on farmlands in Illinois. Journal of Wildlife Management 36:31-45.
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