The hooded skunk (Mephitis macroura ) is a species of mammal in the family Mephitidae. Mephītis in Latin means "foul odor", μακρός (makrós ) in Greek translates to "long" and οὐρά (ourá ) translates to "tail".
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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...
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CarnivoreA 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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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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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 ...
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BurrowingA 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 ...
Among animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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SolitaryNo
Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withHooded skunks are small mammals known for their ability to spray a liquid with a strong, unpleasant smell. They can be distinguished from the similar striped skunk by their longer tail and longer, much softer coat of fur. A ruff of white fur around their neck gives Hooded skunks their common name. There are three color phases and in all three, a thin white medial stripe is present between the eyes: black-backed with two lateral white stripes, white-backed with one dorsal white stripe, or entirely black with a few white hairs in the tail.
Hooded skunks can be found from the Southwestern United States to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and northwest Costa Rica. They live in forests, grasslands, shrublands, deserts, and in the foothills of mountains, avoiding high elevations. These animals are often found near a water source, such as a river.
Hooded skunks are solitary creatures; however, they may gather in small groups at a feeding ground without showing any signs of aggression. They shelter in a burrow or a nest of thick plant cover during the day and are active at night. Like other skunks, for self-defense, they spray bad-smelling oily musk from two glands located near the base of their tail.
Hooded skunks are omnivores. Their diet consists mostly of vegetation, especially prickly pear, but they also eat insects, small vertebrates, and bird eggs.
The mating system of Hooded skunks is unknown but similar to the Stripped skunk they may be polygynous; this means that during the breeding season one male mates with several females. Hooded skunks usually breed from February to March and after the gestation period of 60 days, females give birth to 3-8 kits.
Hooded skunks are currently not endangered. They are very abundant in Mexico and can live in human suburban areas mostly on pastures and cultivated fields. Their fur has low economic value. However, their fat and scent glands can be used in local folk medicine. In some parts of their range, Hooded skunks are hunted for food as their meat is considered a delicacy.
According to IUCN, the Hooded skunk is locally common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are increasing.
