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Hooded Skunk (Mephitis macroura)
Hooded skunk, Mephitis macroura Photograph by National Park Service. License: Public Domain. (view image details)
HOODED SKUNK FACTS
DescriptionThe Hooded Skunk is similar to the Striped Skunk but has longer tail and softer fur than the Striped Skunk.. There is a patch of longer hair on the upper neck. There are two color forms. In one form the body is all white with black underside. The other form is the body is black with two narrow lateral stripes along the side. The stripes rarely fork like the Striped Skunk. The underside of the tail is often white. Skunks can spray a foul-smelling fluid from two glands near the base of its tail. This liquid is oily and difficult to remove and is very painful if sprayed in the eyes. Size Length about 70cm including tail. Tail length about 37cm. Males are slightly larger than females. Weight 800g - 900g. Environment desert scrub, grassland, desert grassland. Often found in vegetation along stream banks or rocky canyons. Found at elevations of less than 2,000m. Food mostly insects, also small mammals, plants such as prickly pear fruit Breeding About three young are born after a gestation period of 61 days. At birth they are very immature and blind, deaf. Range Mexico, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. Classification
Relatives in same Genus Striped Skunk (M. mephitis) Home | Mammals | Reptiles | Birds | Insects | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Contact Us |