Where does the striped skunk live?
The striped skunk occurs across much of North America, including southern Canada, the United States and northern Mexico. It has a long history of association with humans, having been trapped and captively bred for its fur and kept as a pet. It is one of the most recognisable of North America's animals, and a popular figure in cartoons and children's books.
What does the striped skunk eat?
Striped skunks are polygamous omnivores with few natural predators, save for birds of prey. They are mostly nocturnal. Like all skunks, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators. It is a stoutly built, short-limbed animal with a small, conical head and a long, heavily furred tail. Adult males are 10% larger than females.
Is the striped skunk endangered?
No: the IUCN lists it as Least Concern, on account of its wide range and ability to adapt to human-modified environments. Its scent glands are its main defence against predators, and it has few of them.
