Spotted skunks are classified as a furbearer and may be taken during regulated trapping seasons. Though they are closely related to striped skunks, spotted skunks are smaller in size and more agile that their cousins. They may appear mostly black or mostly white. Like all skunks, the Spotted Skunk excretes a foul smelling sulfuric “spray” from two anal scent glands to defend itself and its offspring from predators. Eastern spotted skunks seem to prefer forest edges and upland prairie grasslands, especially where rock outcrops and shrub clumps are present. The species of greatest conservation concern is the eastern spotted skunk, or plains spotted skunk, which is found in the eastern half of Texas and the Panhandle and in the eastern United States. Her litter will range between 2 to 10 kits each year. South American Skunk
Tail is shortish, bushy, and black with white tip. Photo courtesy of Virginia Tech. Eastern Spotted Skunk. More research is required to determine the abundance of this species. “Occasionally reported in AR fur sales records. While the exact number of species that prey on skunks is unknown, red foxes, cougars, coyotes and domestic dogs are among them.
They have mostly the same predators as any other skunk (big cats, bobcats, owls, humans, etc.). The Eastern Spotted Skunk rarely causes conflicts with people, as they tend to avoid people and human development.
Habitat data collected at the surveyed sites suggest that spotted skunks prefer forests with thick understory vegetation, most likely to avoid detection from predators, particularly great horned owls. Ground Predators Some ground carnivores prey on skunks. Are the skunks losing habitat or is there something else going on? Up to eight skunks may share an underground den in the winter. They can also climb and take shelter in trees. It lives in both Americas. Spotted Skunk Feeding. Population status: The eastern spotted skunk is assumed to occur statewide but almost all recent records have been restricted to the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains. Spotted skunks are mostly known for the pungent and foul-smelling odor they produce to repel predators. To defend themselves against predators they carry out a rapid sequence of handstands which act as a … Both skunk species are about the size of a house cat with a small head, short legs, and a … Eastern spotted skunks seem to prefer forest edges and upland prairie grasslands, especially where rock outcrops and shrub clumps are present.
The striped skunk has broad stripes that may run the length of the body, but its coloration can vary. Eastern Spotted Skunks are nest predators of ground-nesting birds, Unfortunately, the critically endangered, Florida Grasshopper Sparrow is among the skunk’s prey. In fact, the Spotted Skunk is often found climbing trees!
Arkansas classifies ESS as S4-apparently secure in AR. Spotted skunks aren’t your typical skunk. Up to eight skunks may share an underground den in the winter. For more information, read the Eastern Spotted Skunk species profile. They consume a variety of foods and are classified as being omnivores. By contrast the coloration of Eastern spotted skunks is less variable. They have mostly the same predators as any other skunk (big cats, bobcats, owls, humans, etc.). Eastern Spotted Skunk Spilogale putorius. These animals tend not to prefer skunk, though, because it is difficult to successfully attack and kill one without being soaked in its pungent natural spray. Spotted skunks are social, often sharing dens with up to seven other skunks. They are finding that the secretive skunks favor forests thick with vegetation where their broken markings help them hide from predators like great-horned owls. In fact, the Spotted Skunk is often found climbing trees!