Civet cat
The eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius ) is a small, relatively slender skunk found in North America, throughout the eastern United States and in small areas of Canada and Mexico.
This small skunk is more weasel-like in body shape than the more familiar striped skunk. The eastern spotted skunk has four stripes on its back which are broken in pattern, giving it a "spotted" appearance. They have a white spot on their forehead. They are found in Canada (southeast Manitoba and northwestern Ontario), the United States and northeastern Mexico. Males, at 46.3–68.8 cm (18.2–27.1 in) in total length, are larger than females, at 35–54.4 cm (13.8–21.4 in). The tail accounts for roughly a third of their total length. Body mass can range from 0.2 to 1.8 kg (0.44 to 3.97 lb), with males averaging around 700 g (1.5 lb) against the female's average of 450 g (0.99 lb). Skull length is 43–55 mm (1.7–2.2 in). The eastern spotted skunk is a very small skunk, no larger than a good-sized tree squirrel.
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.). Up to eight skunks may share an underground den in the winter. They can also climb and take shelter in trees.
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.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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OmnivoreAn omnivore is an animal that has the ability to eat and survive on both plant and animal matter. Obtaining energy and nutrients from plant and ani...
A carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
Among animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
A burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct ...
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PolygynyPolygyny is a mating system in which one male lives and mates with multiple females but each female only mates with a single male.
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starts withThe Eastern spotted skunks is a small, relatively slender skunk with a body shape like a weasel. Its black-and-white color is a warning against harming this small creature, as its defense mechanism is the emission of noxious odors from its well-developed scent glands. This mammal is also known as the civet cat, but this is incorrect and misleading because it is neither closely related to Old World true civets nor to cats.
Eastern spotted skunks inhabit much of the eastern part of the United States and small parts of Canada and Mexico, and also occur to the north in Minnesota and south in Central America and El Salvador, and in the west as far as eastern Wyoming and Colorado. Throughout the midwestern states they are found in the Appalachian Mountains, and they occur in the north as far as Pennsylvania, throughout Florida, and eastern Texas. The animals mostly occupy tall-grass prairies and wooded areas and often prefer rocky habitats.
An Eastern spotted skunk is a social, non-territorial animal. Different individuals may use the same den on different days. Dens usually are above ground, in a hole or a crevice under a hollow log, or stump. This species spends its winter in dens, but are not true hibernators, awakening sometimes on mild days to eat. It is mainly nocturnal, avoiding detection by climbing trees or freezing. Their coloring may camouflage them on moonlit nights. If these skunks feel threatened they will balance on their forefeet with their hind legs and tail up in the air, in the direction of the threat, this position enabling accurate spraying of the intruder with musk.
Eastern spotted skunks are omnivores. In winter they eat corn and cottontails; in spring, insects and native field mice; in summer, insects and small amounts of fruit, birds, and birds' eggs; in fall, mostly insects.
Little is known about the mating system in Eastern spotted skunks, but skunks generally are polygynous species. A male generally wanders and becomes more active during the time of the mating season, and is known for which is called "mating madness," a condition in which they are likely to spray any large animals they encounter. Mating takes place in March and April, though in southern states females may mate during July or August if they have lost their first litter or not mated. Some females have two litters during one year. Gestation is for about 50-65 days, with litter sizes usually about 5-6. Young are born blind and they are helpless. Their bodies have a covering of fine hair with the distinct black and white coloring. Their eyes open after 30-32 days and at 36 days old they start to walk and play. At the age of 2 months they are weaned and are almost fully grown by 3 months. Both male and female are sexually mature at 11 months.
Habitat fragmentation, habitat destruction and the public persecution of skunks are probably the most common threats for the spotted skunk. As areas of nature are developed, populations of this species are expected to decline. Skunks prefer dense cover, generally not found in areas that are developed, so habitat loss is likely to lead to further decline in numbers. Humans are usually intolerant of skunks, so those that do not relocate when development occurs are often seen as nuisance wildlife and may be removed or killed. This species is also deliberately killed by people for their pelts. On roads they are often accidently killed when hit by motorists, as they are slow moving when crossing.
Eastern spotted skunk is widely distributed and was once common but no overall population estimate is available. Currently this species is classified as Vulnerable (VU) and its numbers today are decreasing.
Since insects are the spotted skunk's primary source of food, spotted skunks play an important role in insect control. They may also affect predator populations (great horned owls), as items of prey.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...