Striped skunk

Striped skunk
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mephitidae
Genus: Mephitis
Species:
M. mephitis
Binomial name
Mephitis mephitis
(Schreber, 1776)
Map showing distribution of striped skunk in North America
Striped skunk range
Synonyms[2]

Viverra mephitis Schreber, 1776

The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is a skunk of the genus Mephitis that occurs across much of North America, including southern Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico.[3] It is currently listed as least concern by the IUCN on account of its wide range and ability to adapt to human-modified environments.[1]

Striped skunks are polygamous omnivores with few natural predators, save for birds of prey.[2] Like all skunks, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators. They have a long history of association with humans, having been trapped and captively bred for their fur[4] and kept as pets.[5] The striped skunk is one of the most recognizable of North America's animals, and is a popular figure in cartoons and children's books.[6]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference iucn was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference verts1982 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M., eds. (2005). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference lantz1923 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference cipriani2011 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Feinstein, J. (2011). Field Guide to Urban Wildlife. Stackpole Books. p. 67. ISBN 0811705854