eastern spotted skunk

(Spilogale putorius)

Conservation Status

 

No Image Available

 
  IUCN Red List

VU - Vulnerable

 
  NatureServe

N4 - Apparently Secure

S2 - Imperiled

 
  Minnesota

Threatened

Species in Greatest Conservation Need

 
           
 
Description
 
 

Eastern spotted skunk is a small, slender skunk. It is shaped like a weasel. It has four narrow white stripes that break into spots on the hindquarters.

 
     
 

Size

 
 

Total length: 18 to 27

 
     
 

Sign

 
 

 

 
     
 

Similar Species

 
  Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is larger and stockier. Its shape is more like a cat. It has two white stripes that join together in a V shape at the shoulders.  
     
 
Habitat
 
 

Open and brushy areas, especially agricultural areas.

 
     
 
Ecology
 
 

Behavior

 
 

 

 
     
 

Lifespan

 
 

10 years in captivity

 
     
 

Life Cycle

 
 

 

 
     
 

Food

 
 

Small mammals, especially house mouse in agricultural areas.

 
     
 
Distribution
 
 

Distribution Map

 

Sources

6, 15, 29, 30, 76.

This map does not include historical local and township specimens or records in localities where the eastern spotted skunk is now presumed extirpated.

 
  8/18/2022      
         
 

Occurrence

 
 

Common in eastern and central United States. Rare in Minnesota.

 
         
 
Taxonomy
 
  Class Mammalia (mammals)  
  Subclass Theria  
  Infraclass Eutheria (placental mammals)  
  Magnorder Boreoeutheria  
  Superorder Laurasiatheria (ungulates, carnivorans, and allies)  
  Order Carnivora (carnivorans)  
  Suborder Caniformia (dog-like carnivores)  
 

Family

Mephitidae (skunks and stink-badgers)  
  Subfamily Mephitinae (true skunks)  
 

Genus

Spilogale (spotted skunks)  
       
 

Subordinate Taxa

 
 

eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius putorius)

Florida spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius ambarvalis)

growling spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius ringens)

Indianolan spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius indianola)

prairie spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius interrupta)

 
       
 

Synonyms

 
 

 

 
       
 

Common Names

 
 

eastern spotted skunk

spotted skunk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Visitor Photos
 
           
 

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Camera

     
 
Slideshows
 
 
     
     

 

slideshow

       
 
Visitor Videos
 
       
 

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Other Videos
 
  Spotted Skunk in Dumpster video 001.avi
Mopanemike
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Feb 4, 2010

The Spotted Skunk (Spilogale putorius) is smaller and more weasel-like than the striped skunk. Both species are nocturnal and crepuscular. The spotted skunks are faster and more agile than the striped skunks and they have better pelts.

   
  Spotted skunk handstand - Weird Nature - BBC wildlife
BBCWorldwide
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Jan 16, 2009

Enter the amazing world of the spotted skunk with this brilliant clip from BBC wildlife show 'Weird Nature'. A chance to see skunk defences at first hand, this short video includes images of a spotted skunk performing foot stomping, hand stands, and predatory spraying to ward off potential attackers.

   
  Eastern Spotted Skunk
Daryl McQuinn
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Dec 23, 2007

An Eastern Spotted Skunk named Charlie let out of his cage in the back porch.

   
  Brave skunk eating cat food
majav15mg
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Nov 15, 2011

A brave eastern spotted skunk eating cat food.

   

 

Camcorder

 
 
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