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Species Description

• Adult total length: 21 - 29 in. (550 - 750 mm)

• Tail: 7 - 12 in. (175 - 300 mm)

• Hind foot: 2 1/8 in. - 3 1/8 in. (54 - 78 mm)

• Weight: 3 - 10 lbs. (1.3 - 4.5 kg)

• Physical Characteristics: The striped skunk is the larger and more common of the two skunks inhabiting the park. This short-legged, housecat-sized mammal is black with a narrow white stripe running up the middle of the forehead and a broad white area on the nape of the neck that usually divides into a V at about the shoulders. The resulting two white stripes may continue to the base of the bushy tail. The white stripes show considerable variation. In some animals, they are broad and well defined; in others, they are absent. The striped skunk has a relatively small head with short-rounded ears, small eyes, and a pointed muzzle. Two large musk glands are located at the base of the tail.

left lateral view of skull and mandible	dorsal view of skull	ventral view of skull

These animals inhabit old fields and brushy areas as well as sparsely wooded regions. Agricultural areas with their mix of open cropland and brushy or wooded edges provide ideal habitat. Komarek and Komarek (1938) noted that the striped skunk was generally distributed throughout the mountains but was probably more commonly associated with the open fields and cut-over woodlands of the lower elevations. Goldsmith (1981) reported a resident skunk population of 31(plus or minus 4) skunks in the Cades Cove campground and picnic area. Drainage culverts in the campground were used extensively as den sites from July through October.

Index

Natural History

• Reproduction
  Female striped skunks normally produce a single annual litter of 4 to 7 (range 3-10) young in the spring following a gestation of 59 to 77 days. The young are born in a nest of dry leaves within the den. Newborn young have their eyes and ears closed, have well- developed claws, and have a fine covering of hair in which the adult pattern is evident. The eyes open at 22 to 35 days, while the ears open between 24 and 27 days. Young skunks nurse for 6 to 7 weeks, after which they emerge from the den and begin following their mother on her nightly foraging trips. The young usually remain with the mother until late summer when they disperse. Young skunks begin breeding at one year of age.

• Longevity
  In the wild, striped skunks may live for five the six years (Linzey, 1998).

• Terrestrial Ecology
  Striped skunks are primarily solitary, nocturnal mammals. They spend the day in underground burrows, beneath abandoned buildings, in hollow logs, or in wood piles. Although active individuals have been observed in the park during every month, they may become dormant for prolonged periods during severe winter weather. Unlike the eastern spotted skunk, they are not good climbers.

  Striped skunks are omnivorous and feed primarily on small rodents, eggs, insects and their larvae, berries, and carrion. Birds and reptiles may be taken occasionally. In February, 1935, a skunk was observed on Messer Fork following a plow and eating grubs (Fleetwood, 1934-1935). On November 26, 1937, Stupka examined the stomach of an individual found near Elkmont and noted the seeds and pulp of persimmon, insect remains (grasshopper, Hemiptera, and larvae), and the feathers of a small bird.

• Predators and Defense
  Because of its well-known and effective defense mechanism, the striped skunk is not molested by many animals. Palmer (1954) stated, however, that "practically every Horned Owl in the skunk's range smells of skunk-one of its staple foods." On two occasions in the park, Stupka noted great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) which had a strong odor of skunk about them.

• Parasites
  Komarek and Komarek (1938) recorded individuals heavily infested with ticks (Ixodes sp.), lice (Neotrichodectes sp.), and tapeworms (Oocharistica sp., probably mephitis).

• University of Michigan, Museum of Zoology
• eNature

Index

Acknowledgements

• Text
  • Dr. Donald W. Linzey, Wytheville Community College - wclinzd@wcc.vccs.edu
  • Christy Brecht, Wytheville Community College - wcbrecc@wcc.vccs.edu

• Photographs
  • Roger Barbour

• Map development
  • Richard Schulz, Great Smoky Mountains National Park - richard_schulz@nps.gov

• Web page design & coding
  • Denise Lim, University of Georgia, Athens
  • John Pickering, University of Georgia, Athens

• Dragoo, J. W. and R. L. Honeycutt. 1997. Systematics of mustelid-like carnivores. Journal of Mammalogy 78 (2): 426-443.

• Fleetwood, R. J. 1934-35. Journal of Raymond J. Fleetwood, wildlife technician, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, for the period May 27, 1934-June 27, 1935. 499 pp. (Typewritten).

• Goldsmith, D. M. 1981. The ecology and natural history of striped skunks in the Cades Cove campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee. Master's thesis, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee.

• Komarek, E. V., and R. Komarek. 1938. Mammals of the Great Smoky Mountains. Bulletin of the Chicago Academy of Science 5(6): 137-162.

• Linzey, D. W. 1995a. Mammals of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Blacksburg, Virginia: The McDonald & Woodward Publishing Company, Inc.

• Linzey, D. W. 1995b. Mammals of Great Smoky Mountains National Park-1995 Update. Journal of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society 111(1):1-81.

• Linzey, D.W. 1998. The Mammals of Virginia. Blacksburg, Virginia: The McDonald and Woodward Publishing Company, Inc.

Palmer, R.S. 1954. The Mammal Guide. Garden City, New York: Doubleday and Co., Inc.
• Stupka, A. 1935-63. Nature Journal, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 28 vols. (years) each with index. (Typewritten copy in files of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.)

• Wade-Smith, J. and B. J. Verts. 1982. Mephitis mephitis. Mammalian Species No. 173: 1-7. American Society of Mammologists.