Striped skunk | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Carnivora |
Family: | Mephitidae |
Genus: | Mephitis |
Species: | M. mephitis
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Binomial name | |
Mephitis mephitis (Schreber, 1776)
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Striped skunk range | |
Synonyms[2] | |
Viverra mephitis Schreber, 1776 |
The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is a skunk of the genus Mephitis that occurs across much of North America, including southern Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico.[3] It is currently listed as least concern by the IUCN on account of its wide range and ability to adapt to human-modified environments.[1]
Striped skunks are polygamous omnivores with few natural predators, save for birds of prey.[2] Like all skunks, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators. They have a long history of association with humans, having been trapped and captively bred for their fur[4] and kept as pets.[5] The striped skunk is one of the most recognizable of North America's animals, and is a popular figure in cartoons and children's books.[6]
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