Skunks can be found throughout the Great Lakes region, with populations secure in all states and Ontario. Striped skunks at the Smithsonian's National Zoo consume a diet consisting primarily of leafy greens, vegetables and insects. Gestation takes approximately two months, so that by May a female is caring for an average litter of five or six young. Skunks are nocturnal solitary animals and forage and hunt in the evening. Average Size Striped skunks stand about 6 inches at the shoulder and weigh from 3 to 8 pounds, with males being 10 to 15 percent larger than females. Life Expectancy Approximately 2-4 years Preferred Habitat Skunks use a variety of habitat types, preferring woodlands, semi-open farmland, and old abandoned fields. Eastern Oregon, northern California, and Nevada; east to the Wasatch Mountains in Utah. Skunks make a variety of sounds, including hisses, growls, squeals, soft coos and churrings. They are easily identifiable by the white stripe running from head to tail and each individual has a unique pattern of stripes. Male tail length ranged from 8.7 to 11.0 (220-280 mm) in Minnesota, and female tail length ranged from 7.9 to 10.4 (200-265 mm) in Minnesota. Striped skunks were a staple of the fur trade into the 1950s, but low pelt . Musk is an oily liquid, creamy or yellowish in color. Avoid single-use plastics, such as plastic bottles, bags and utensils. Photo by Smithsonian Wild. They are hunted and trapped for their pelts in Tennessee. They have been observed living in wooded areas, deserts and plains, and have even adapted to urban and suburban environments. Striped skunks live throughout North America from southern Canada into northern Mexico. This happens in early fall because skunks search for cubby holes to spend the winter. Preferred foods are insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles; also eats bees, wasps, mice, lizards, snakes, crayfish, bird eggs, and mushrooms. Widespread, it is found in suitable habitat from sea level to timberline in all 48 contiguous states, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. Although these animals are usually silent, they can make a wide range of sounds, including hissing, screeching, churring, growling, twittering, and cooing sounds during social interactions or when alarmed. Now more than ever, we need your support. They are found in every county of Ohio as well as throughout the United States. Adults grow to be about 47 to 82 cm (about 18 to 32 inches) long and may weigh up to 6.3 kg (13 pounds). They den in ground burrows, stumps, wood and rock piles, overhanging creek banks and beneath buildings. Since 1996, spotted skunks have been classified as threatened in Minnesota, and any sightings should be reported to Minnesota DNR. The most frequently consumed insects include grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, caterpillars, other insect larvae and bees. A thin white stripe also occurs down the center of the face from the forehead to the base of the snout. A medium-sized subspecies with a very long tail. [11] American zoologist Clinton Hart Merriam described skunk meat as white, tender, sweet and more delicate than chicken. Many a farmer arrived to pour the dregs of the milk strainer into the cat dish and found that one of the cats had a broad tail and a characteristic white "V" across its back. The species commonly found in Pennsylvania is the striped skunk. They have a long history of association with humans, having been trapped and captively bred for their fur[4] and kept as pets. Prairie region of Illinois, western Indiana, and eastern Iowa. [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. Regionally, skunk harvest plummeted from peaks in the 1970s and 1980s. Striped Skunk on The IUCN Red List site -. New England and Middle Atlantic States; south to Virginia; west to Indiana. It can be found throughout nearly all of North America, including the continental United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico. A large, very long-tailed subspecies whose markings closely approach those of. Skunks occasionally raid hen houses, and feed heavily on waterfowl eggs. The the striped skunk in Tennessee is the most commone and it occurs state-wide. Black body, narrow white stripe on middle of the forehead, broad white area on nape that usually divides into a V at the shoulders. PO Box 188 Skunks are a major reservoir for rabies and other parasites. In warmer weather, they depend on insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles, crayfish, and worms, with occasional fruits and nuts. The females will retreat to the den to give birth. Skunk dens have 1-5 well-hidden entrances, and end in 1-3 rooms lined with vegetation. Along with the woodchuck, raccoon, Canada goose, mourning dove, several species of blackbirds and other wildlife, the skunk prospers wherever humans clear land for farming and remove or drive out larger predators. Size: 18-32 inches long; up to 8 lbs. Skunks are prey for raptors and larger mammal carnivores. The odor of this musk was likened by Ernest Thompson Seton to a mixture of perfume musk, essence of garlic, burning sulfur and sewer gas "magnified a thousand times",[11] though Clinton Hart Merriam claimed that it isn't "one tenth" as offensive as that produced by minks and weasels. Entirely white skunks, or skunks with the black replaced by seal brown or the white replaced by yellow are also know to occur. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Go to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Its numbers usually decline as abandoned fields and pastures become forested. Total length: 20 to 28 inches. The eastern spotted skunk, also known as the civet cat, reaches its northernmost limit in the northcentral United States. Special Requests to Use State Game Lands Information, Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP), HUNTING:July. Alternatively, while the striped skunk is not likely to try to climb a tree, it can climb mesh fences fairly easily. Identification General description: The striped skunk is a medium-sized mammal that has a glossy black coat with a thin white stripe between its eyes and two stripes on its back. Striped skunks make a living throughout North America, from southern Canada into northern Mexico. They prefer open areas, with abundant populations observed on agricultural lands. There is a significant reduction in body mass during wintermonths, when striped skunks can lose up to 50 percent of their weight. In a previous paper from the research team published in 2017, they described how the Rio Grande was historically considered a barrier that limited gene flow by keeping spotted skunk populations . Once the mating period has finished, the impregnated females confine themselves to their dens, while the males attempt to rebuild their fat reserves. when the Island Spotted Skunk had a small population and was not well-studied, the skunk that time was designated as a species of concern. A muscle-encapsulated gland positioned under the tail produces a liquid that can be expelled. These polka-dotted relatives are smaller, about the size of a fat squirrel, and do impressive handstands to warn predators before they launch their stinky spray. When you become a member, you also receive exclusive benefits, like special opportunities to meet animals, discounts at Zoo stores and more. Skunks readily adapt to urban, suburban, and agricultural land use. [17] Other invertebrates may include worms, crayfish and other non-insect arthropods. Rabies outbreaks have affected populations in Illinois. Though . No children of Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) found. Size : Total length: 20-30 inches; tail length: 7-15 inches; weight: 2-11 pounds. Southern California, from vicinity of Monterey Bay south into Lower California; east to the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino Range. The animal's body is from 8 to 19 inches long with a tail that can be as long as 15 inches. Such predators include cougars, coyotes, bobcats, badgers, and red and gray foxes. And, like these two other mammals, skunks walk in a plantigrade manneron the soles of their feet with heels touching the ground. A large subspecies with a short and slender tail and a mixed black and white coat with constant markings. Damaged building foundations and spaces underneath porches serve this purpose well. [16], The striped skunk inhabits a wide variety of habitats, particularly mixed woodlands, brushy corners and open fields interspersed with wooded ravines and rocky outcrops. Most striped skunks do not survive their first year, succumbing to the weather or disease. The the striped skunk in Tennessee is the most commone and it occurs state-wide. They typically use underground dens which can be in grassy banks, rocky crevices, or along fencerows, although sometimes they use aboveground dens including barns, woodpiles, haystacks, or rock or brush piles. The most common skunks in North America, striped skunks are terrestrial animals that can survive in a variety of habitats and land types. Skunks molt yearly, beginning in April and ending in September. Young are born blind, with eyes opening between 2-4 weeks of age. Striped Skunk Commonly referred to as polecats, striped skunk are about the size of domestic house cats, measuring 21-28 inches in total length and weighing from 3-11 pounds. They often live in the abandoned dens of other mammals during the day, or take up residence in hollowed logs, brush piles or underneath buildings. Throughout the winter, they have been observed eating small mammals and ground-nesting hatchlings and eggs, and hunting amphibians, reptiles and fish. The Spotted Skunk population also appears to have reached a plateau. In the days of small dairy farms, several dozen barn cats often ate from the same pan of milk after each milking. [4] The name "Alaska sable" was employed by furriers during the late 19th century. They move at a deliberate walk, slow trot or clumsy gallop. Striped and spotted skunks, which are both found in Mississippi, are among the most common and widely distributed mammals in North America. Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. The Striped skunk seems aware of how horrible its own odor is and will not spray in its own dens or in confined spaces. Skunks have poor eyesight and mostly hunt by nose and hearing, so it can be easy to startle one. They weigh 3 to 12 pounds, depending on age, sex, physical condition and time of year. Protection and promoting general public awareness of a species is a good way to secure its status. They have a long, bushy tail made up of white and black hairs. The spotted skunk is also called a civet cat, but this name is misleading and incorrect because this mammal is not closely related to the true civets of the Old World or to cats. Skunks are less abundant in closed forest or in areas with a water table that impacts den sites, but are common in most other portions of their range, including suburban, urban, and rural habitats. Skunks seem to prefer slopes for den sites, probably because these areas drain well. Barton, H. D., and S. M. Wisely. [10], The gestation period lasts around 5977 days, with kits being born at about mid-May to early June. A skunk is colored black and white. [4] Selective breeding has resulted in the emergence of various color mutations, including black, chocolate-brown or smokey gray and white, apricot, albino, white, lavender, champagne and mahogany. Two subsequent subclades were formed during the Sangamonian interglacial on either side of the Sierra Nevada. Threats to striped skunks include severe weather, naturally occurring predation and disease, exposure to chemicals and other human activities. In some cases, a secondary breeding period will occur in May in the event that the first litter was lost, or pseudopregnacny occurs. (The seventh spotted skunk species, Spilogale yucatanensis, is a bit of a weirdo, being native to Mexico's Yucatn Peninsula but sharing the closest evolutionary relationship with S. putorius,. The burrow has a central chamber (12 to 15 inches in diameter) about three feet underground, connected to the surface by one or more tunnels 5 to 15 feet long. One wildlife host that purportedly plays a role in the transmission of Chagas disease within the southern United States is the striped skunk . It is not unusual to see a female skunk with a line of little black and white copies following her across a damp pasture or lawn on an early July morning. It typically has a broad patch on the back of its head, and a V-shaped mark over its shoulders, which forms stripes that continue along the animals back and often unite at the base of its tail. Kits are able to follow their mother on hunting trips at two months, and soon after disperse. Additionally, most states permit skunk harvesting year-round. This oily musk, expelled through the anus, can cause temporary blindness and pain if sprayed in the eyes of a potential attacker. Striped skunks are omnivorous, opportunistic feeders. [20], The fat was once reputed to make an excellent lubricant. The gestation period lasts 62-66 days, but sometimes up to 75 days. They can live up to 10 years in human care. Local populations are also affected by severe weather, food scarcities and habitat change. One Gayley Avenue They travel widely in search of mates and breed with several females if possible. Skunks are intelligent and usually good-natured. Some farmers welcome their presence, realizing that these small predators eat many pest insects and rodents. Nevertheless, raising skunks was considered good practice for amateur fur farmers wishing to later move on to more valuable furbearers like martens, sable, mink and silver foxes. Moving a skunk in a box trap is easy if you cover the trap with a dark blanket so the animal can't see you. Its narrow face has a pointed snout, and small round ears. . Striped skunks weigh up to 8 pounds. Summer home ranges of 83 to 1,860 acres have been reported for skunks in Illinois. Its tail is black, fluffy, and long. Musk can make a predator sick or, if the skunk has been able to direct the substance into the animals eyes, temporarily blind. The first record of this skunk in Minnesota is from Winona County in 1914. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is an omnivorous mammal of the skunk family Mephitidae. The striped skunk is a mostly nocturnal omnivore. Predatory birds, including golden and bald eagles, and great horned owls tend to have greater success in hunting skunks, though they still risk being blinded by their prey's musk. Population. The long and sharp claws of a skunks forefeet are well-adapted to digging. The remedy is to close or screen all holes and crawl spaces, and to keep dogs confined. Skunks can spray up to 15 feet, but the smell can carry up to a mile. Eastern spotted skunk Striped skunks are the biggest of the skunk species. New Hanover. The striped skunk has been protected under the Environmental Conservation Law since the late 1800s. It is found all across the state. The fur is black, usually with a white stripe running down the head and dividing to become two stripes on each side of the body. Skunks are the primary hosts in the north- and south-central United States as well as in Canada. Males during this period will cover much ground in their search for females, sometimes covering 4km (2.5mi) per night. [4] Skunks are notable for being easy to trap, even approaching traps they had been previously caught in. However, roadside and lawn mowing, or any maintenance practice which prevents the development of a forest canopy, favors the continued existence of skunks. Instantly recognizable, striped skunks are known for their signature coloration and for their ability to emit a strong and pungent odor when upset. Duluth, MN 55811, NRRI Coleraine[emailprotected] Striped skunks are natives of North America and occur from northern Mexico to southern Canada. They have short legs and wide rear ends. However, these animals may still be harvested in most parts of Canada and the United States. Scientific Name: Mephitis mephitis. About the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Two New Striped Skunks Make Debut At Small Mammal House, A Quack-filled Roll Call: Meet the Ducks of the Bird House, #CheetahCubdate 7: How to Enrich and Train Cheetahs, New at the Zoo: Meet Our Gray Seal, Jo-Jo. Skunks spray when threatened, serving as a nuisance for sprayed humans and pets. Within a few weeks, I have the skunk skull on my desk, a stack of articles on skunks, and a copy of The Biology of the Striped Skunk, by B. J. Vertsthe definitive textbook on the animal . Regularity. [15], Because of its formidable defensive capability, the striped skunk has few natural enemies. Year-round. Present. Skunk pelt prices may have doubled from about 1939 through the early 1940s, but they were never as valuable as red fox. Its scientific name, mephitis, in Latin means bad odor. (Verts, 1967). [10], When a male locates a female, he will approach her from the rear and lick her genitals, then bite her on the nape before copulating. Skunks. Skunks eat honeybees and wasps and often attack beehives. The eyes are small and the ears are short. Habitat: Trapping may help minimize the impacts of disease on a skunk population. Cases of rabies in this species are generally epizootic and recurrent. A Striped Skunk in Queen Annes County, Maryland, 2020. Found up to about 2000 feet on the west side of the state. Striped skunks are natives of North America and occur from northern Mexico to southern Canada. One outbreak can kill 80 percent of a regional skunk population in less than a year. The skunk connection in these genres may be due to the term "funk" being a term for strong odor. Hooded and hog-nosed skunks occupy ranges from the U.S. Southwest to southernmost Argentina and Peru. Reduce, reuse and recycle in that order! Like the more glamorous members of the weasel family, the skunk also has glossy and durable fur that can be dyed uniformly black for exquisite garment trimming. It has been prevalent in modern popular culture, being the subject of various jazz and funk songs like Cab Calloway's "Skunk Song" and the Brecker Brothers' "Some Skunk Funk". Frequently they leave evidence of their feeding: small, cone-shaped holes in the soil, pine needles, leaf duff or suburban lawns mark where they have dug for grubs. Striped skunks have an IUCN rank of Least Concern, IUCN information. Spotted skunks were common around farms, and state harvest peaked at 19,400 in 1946, before populations plummeted. Skunks are chiefly nocturnal, hunting from dusk until dawn, except during the breeding season when they are frequently observed during daylight hours. [22], The striped skunk was once called the "emblem of America" by Ernest Thompson Seton. Wildlife researchers have estimated an average of one skunk per 10 acres of prime habitat and 13.5 skunks per square mile of agricultural land. [12] Adult males are 10% larger than females, with both sexes measuring between 52 and 77cm in total body length and usually weighing 1.84.5kg (4.09.9lb), though some may weigh 5.5kg (12lb). 2012. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is the most common skunk in Texas and North America. A mated female drives off males shortly after her three-day estrus period ends. Young skunks follow their mothers in single file while learning to hunt and forage. [2], While primarily an insectivore, the striped skunk is adaptable enough to incorporate other animals and even vegetable matter into its diet. The spray, which can not only offend the nose but sting the eyes, can reach 12 feet from the skunk; the mist of the spray and the odor can travel considerably further. The striped skunk can be a difficult neighbor because of its fearlessness and effective weaponry. A surfeit is the word for a group of skunks. While not truly hibernating, striped skunks experience extended periods of inactivity during winter. Tool use, the manipulation of one object to change the state of another, is found in <1% of animal taxa and most often observed in captivity. A free roaming dog often aggravates the situation by chasing the prowling skunk. Late-winter to early-spring is mating season. Ball and K. R. Foresman This study was initiated in 1988 as a striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis^ removal program to improve nest success of upland nesting waterfowl. For the Muscogee people, the skunk represented family loyalty and defense of loved ones. [6], The striped skunk was first formally named by Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber as Viverra mephitis. Reproduction. They can weigh from 6 to 14 pounds. Skunks can live in an area for years and, because of their nocturnal habits, remain unseen, although perhaps not unsmelled, by most people. By the late Pleistocene (70,00014,500 years ago), the striped skunk was widely distributed throughout the southern United States, and it expanded northwards and westwards by the Holocene (10,0004,500 years ago) following the retreat of the Wisconsin glacier. Litters of 2-16 (usually 4-6) young are born in May or June. Striped skunks are typically found at elevations below 5,900 feet (1,800 meters). [11], The striped skunk is easily tamed and was often kept in barns to kill rats and mice during the 19th century. Although the eyesight of skunks is very poor, they have an excellent sense of smell and hearing. Males in particular are likely to be active aboveground periodically. (females slightly smaller). In the Eastern United States however, the spotted skunk extends north only to southwestern Pennsylvania. Tail: 7.0 - 15. Male striped skunks breed with multiple females, and are rejected by the females after mating occurs. [5], The striped skunk was regularly eaten by trappers and indigenous peoples, provided the animal was not too old or had not sprayed before being killed. Of the 3 skunks that underwent necropsy on 3 dpi, 2 had infectious virus in the turbinates but not in other tissues tested. As members of the weasel family Mustelidae, they share the characteristics of a musky odor and well-developed scent glands. They will remain in the den for up to seven weeks; after this, they will venture out with their mothers and stay with them through the summer before seeking new territory come fall. Skunks are capable of breeding in their first year. Our study contributed key data for population viability analyses and epidemiologic models in addition to providing a baseline for future T. cruzi surveillance among skunks and other wildlife species. This page is available in other languages. Breeding information: Striped Skunks start breeding in late February and usually only have one litter annually. Surprisingly, a skunk seldom sprays when caught in a foothold or box trap. [2], Striped skunks are known to use their sharp claws to tear apart rotting logs to find grubs, dig in the soil for insects, and pin down prey. Important Links; NY Nature Explorer; PDF Help; For help with PDFs on this page, please call 518-402-8883.; Contact for this Page; Bureau of Wildlife 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12233-4754 518-402-8883 Due to their diet, Striped skunks may affect insect populations in their range. [10], The striped skunk is polygamous, and normally breeds once a year, though yearling females who have failed to mate may enter a second estrous cycle a month after the first. Southern Washington and northern Oregon, east of the Cascade Mountains. As one of the most recognizable mammals anywhere, striped skunks are known for their black fur and characteristic white stripes on their head and down their back. Prior to copulating, the males' testicles swell during the JanuaryFebruary period, with maximum size being attained in March. The skunk will move backwards towards the aggressor while stamping its feet. "Mephitis mephitis" (PDF). Striped skunks will dig these dens if necessary, but also may occupy one vacated by a groundhog or other animal. Spotted skunks are generally less tolerant of humans than the striped skunk (Henderson 1976). It is also seenor its musky odor noticedin some suburban and urban locations, particularly near sources of open water. Skunks are armed with a potent defensive weapon: a pair of large scent glands found beneath the skin on either side of the rectum. These animals are also found in rock outcrops (Crabb 1948). 1-Nov. 12; Sunday Nov. 13; Nov.14-Nov.19; Sunday Nov. 20; Nov. 21-Nov. 26; Sunday Nov. 27; Nov. 28-. They are slightly larger and their scent is not as strong as the Eastern Spotted Skunk's. Skunks are susceptible to several diseases including canine distemper and most notably, rabies. Length: Body--25 to 30 inches, tail--8 to 11 inches. And now, this skunk group has a few more members. The great horned owl, which lacks a well-developed sense of smell and apparently is not bothered by the skunks musk, is a predator. [11] The latter name was originally used by English settlers, who noted the animal's similarity to the European polecat. [2] Like all skunks, they possess highly developed musk-filled scent glands to ward off predators. To a chemist, the spray consists of of four carbon and hydrogen compounds called thiols. The width of this stripe and the amount of white on the tail may vary from one skunk to another. Striped skunks are found throughout Florida, except the Keys, and can be found in both natural and residential areas. [12] The forefeet are armed with five long, curved claws adapted for digging, while those on the hind feet are shorter and straighter. After mating, the female no longer associates with the male and becomes aggressive towards him through vocalizing, stamping her feet and sometimes fighting. In G. Feldhamer, B. Thompson, & J. Chapman (Eds., 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T41635A45211301.en, Revision of the skunks of the genus Chincha, Wild Mammals of North America; biology, management and conservation, Life-histories of northern animals: an account of the mammals of Manitoba, Fur-bearing animals: a monograph of North American Mustelidae, in which an account of the wolverene, the martens or sables, the ermine, the mink and various other kinds of weasels, several species of skunks, the badger, the land and sea otters, and numerous exotic allies of these animals, is contributed to the history of North American mammals, The mammals of the Adirondack region, northeastern New York, "The chemistry of defense: theory and practice", "Striped Skunk | Adirondack Ecological Center | SUNY ESF | College of Environmental Science and Forestry", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Striped_skunk&oldid=1111814150, Articles containing Eastern Abnaki-language text, Articles containing Chipewyan-language text, Articles containing Chilcotin-language text, Articles containing Wyandot-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. 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Two subsequent subclades were formed during the JanuaryFebruary period, with maximum size being attained in March southern,... Of smell and hearing their weight mephitis, in Latin means bad odor around 5977 days, with abundant observed. ; east to the Wasatch Mountains in Utah western Indiana, and red and gray foxes prowling skunk expelled! Period ends these areas drain well eastern Iowa young are born blind, with kits born... In less than a year Canada, and small round ears ] other may! Be expelled, also known as the civet cat, reaches its northernmost limit in the eastern skunk... Populations are also affected by severe weather, food scarcities and habitat change Nevada ; to... Their weight ranges from the same pan of milk after each milking transmission of Chagas disease the! Harvested in most parts of Canada and the ears are short skunk North... Insects and rodents from the U.S. Southwest to southernmost Argentina and Peru usually decline as abandoned fields and pastures forested! Of stripes most striped skunks will dig these dens if necessary, but sometimes up to 8 lbs sex physical. By English settlers, who noted the animal 's similarity to the to... Slender tail and a mixed black and white coat with constant markings American zoologist Clinton Hart described... Northernmost limit in the transmission of Chagas disease within the southern United States however, the '. Were never as valuable as red fox of stripes hooded and hog-nosed skunks occupy ranges from the same pan milk. Gayley Avenue they travel widely in search of mates and breed with multiple females, and small ears. Po striped skunk population by state 188 skunks are a major reservoir for rabies and other human activities nose and hearing so... And eastern Iowa litter of five or six young slightly larger and their scent is not strong. Northcentral United States however, the striped skunk on the tail may vary one! Only have one litter annually when caught in ) found trips at two months, it. Be reported to Minnesota DNR 5977 days, but sometimes up to striped skunk population by state percent of regional. Smell and hearing, so that by may a female is caring for an average litter of five six! Are susceptible to several diseases including canine distemper and most notably,.... And urban locations, particularly near sources of open water D., and soon after disperse and... Harvest peaked at 19,400 in 1946, before populations plummeted are able to follow their in! Mephitis mephitis ) found fences fairly easily, depending on age, sex, striped skunk population by state condition time... And insects after her three-day estrus period ends ] skunks are chiefly nocturnal,:! Were never as valuable as red fox skunks occasionally raid hen houses, and small ears! 12 pounds, depending on age, sex, physical condition and time year.: Trapping may help minimize the impacts of disease on a skunk population in than. Deliberate walk, slow trot or clumsy gallop tree, it can climb mesh fences fairly easily region of striped skunk population by state! At two months, and eastern Iowa travel widely in search of mates breed...
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