Species Highlight: Skunks

As someone who has never been sprayed by a skunk, it is easy for me to gush about how cute and small and fluffy they seem, although I know skunks shoulder a bad reputation. They are known as suburban pests, can ruin your weekend when your dog gets sprayed, and are the most common carrier of rabies. 

Most of the issues people have with these critters are due to human development of their habitat which has led to increased human-wildlife contact. And skunks are opportunistic omnivores that will eat almost anything, including garbage! But they are also incredibly unique, fierce, and adaptable creatures that deserve some recognition.

Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) at Jaguar Pond.

There are four species of skunks found in southern Arizona, which is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world because of the unique overlap and influence of ecoregions that surround the Sky Islands. Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) can be found across the United States mainland, and into northern Mexico and southern Canada. The Hooded skunk (Mephitis macroura) and Hog-nosed skunks (Conepatus leuconotus) are found throughout the desert southwest and into Mexico. The Western spotted skunk (Spilogale gracilis) ranges throughout the American West and into Mexico. 

In southern Arizona, skunks aren’t found in the low desert, but are often seen in rocky canyons and riparian areas. They are fairly common at the Borderlands Wildlife Preserve, almost always captured at night on our wildlife cameras. In fact, three out of the four skunk species have been captured on camera at the Preserve: the Hog-nosed, Hooded, and Striped skunks. In the future we're hoping to capture footage of the elusive Western spotted skunk, the smallest of the four species. They have a distinct marbled pattern that differs from the stripes and solid patches of white fur that characterize the other species, and are also the only species able to climb trees in search of food. All four of these species are generally nocturnal and forage alone at night. In June we captured a video of two Hooded skunks seeming to forage together outside of mating season, which is in the early spring.

Two hooded skunks captured by our wildlife cameras at the BWP.

Hooded skunks can sometimes be mistaken for Striped skunks because they are similar in size and their ranges overlap, but also because Hooded skunks can exhibit a wide range of patterns. Sometimes they have all white backs and tails, or could be all black with a thin white stripe along their side. Here is a helpful graphic shared by Sky Island Alliance that shows all the different varieties of coat patterns (which I have referenced time and time again!).

Two different Hooded skunks (Mephitis macroura) at Dragonfly Pond.

Skunks have a gestation period of about two months before giving birth to about four to seven kits — which is the name for baby skunks. The kits are born blind and vulnerable, and begin venturing out on their own after about two months with their mom. Skunks are exceptional diggers and excavate burrows that can be three to four feet deep, and up to 20 feet long! While they are not true hibernators, they will spend extended time periods in their burrows during the winter in a state of torpor, where their heartbeat slows down and they sleep for days at a time, rarely eating or drinking.

Hog-nosed skunk foraging at night.

Skunks exhibit aposematism, which describes how bright or contrasting colors and patterns help deter predators by signaling that the animal is toxic or foul tasting and smelling. Their bold black and white markings warn predators to stay away, or they might be sprayed with their tell-tale scent. Their infamous spray comes from perianal glands that secrete liquid thiols, which are types of chemicals that contain a sulfur and hydrogen atom bonded together, which contributes to the strong smell. It is also known as a volatile liquid, meaning it evaporates easily and binds well to skin proteins, which is why it sticks around so well. 

Skunks can spray up to about 10 feet away, and are surprisingly accurate shooters. But skunks aren’t prone to immediately spraying when they feel threatened; first they will often raise their tails, hiss, and stomp their feet. It takes a few days for the skunk to replenish the oil, meaning they are left quite defenseless, so they use their spray as a last resort. While the strong stench may be enough to deter a coyote or bobcat, which rely on their smell to find food and water, raptors like the Great horned owl, (Bubo virginianus) which do not rely on scent are unbothered, and are known to be their primary predator. Skunks are also at a higher risk of vehicle collisions because they are active at night and are difficult to see on the road.

Skunks have two exceptional qualities that help them survive: one is their smelly superpower, and the other is their natural immunity to snake, bee, and wasp venom. Rattlesnakes can become a large part of their diet, especially during the summer when they’re more active. They are also known to eat through grounded wasp nests and bee hives. Skunks are similar to other compact mesopredators (like raccoons, coatimundis, badgers, and opossums) which are usually defined as a medium-sized carnivore or omnivore that occupies the middle of the food chain. They usually eat a mixture of plants and small animals, including rodents, rabbits, insects,  small birds, reptiles, and their eggs. These predators help keep other animal populations in check. When there is a surplus of small mammals or insects for example, they can decimate native plant populations that are then susceptible to invasive species taking over. Alternatively, they are not considered apex predators because they themselves are preyed upon by larger animals like coyotes, bobcats, raptors, and mountain lions, but also compete for resources with them. Skunks and other mesopredators play an important role in balancing population dynamics and maintaining local ecosystem health.

Left, striped skunk. Right, hog-nosed skunk.

I’ve only ever seen a handful of skunks in-person,, including once at Sabino Canyon in Tucson as the sun was setting and the canyon was swallowed in darkness. I’ve also seen a couple in the Chiricahua mountains, and as well as a hooded skunk bounding through Stevens canyon just north of Patagonia in the early morning with its tail billowing behind it like a great white flag. 

Which is why being able to observe skunks on the wildlife cameras at the Borderlands Wildlife Preserve is so inspiring. Seeing these creatures enjoying their natural habitat is all the more reason why I believe it should be protected.

Hooded skunk.