American hog-nosed skunk

American hog-nosed skunk
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mephitidae
Genus: Conepatus
Species:
C. leuconotus
Binomial name
Conepatus leuconotus
(Lichtenstein, 1832)
Conepatus leuconotus range

The American hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus leuconotus) is a species of hog-nosed skunk from Central and North America, and is one of the largest skunks in the world, growing to lengths of up to 2.7 feet (82 cm).[2] Recent work has concluded the western hog-nosed skunk (formerly Conepatus mesoleucus) is the same species, and Conepatus leuconotus is the correct name of the merged populations.[3]

In Texas, it is commonly known as the rooter skunk for its habit of rooting and overturning rocks and debris in search of food.

  1. ^ Helgen, K. (2016). "Conepatus leuconotus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T41632A45210809. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T41632A45210809.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. ^ Eastern Hog-nosed Skunk (Conepatus leuconotus) Archived 2017-11-10 at the Wayback Machine. Nsrl.ttu.edu. Retrieved on 2011-09-16.
  3. ^ Western Hog-nosed Skunk Archived 2008-09-20 at the Wayback Machine. Museum.utep.edu. Retrieved on 2011-09-16.