Varieties of Skunks

Striped

• The Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) has black fur with a white-striped pattern from head to tail. It is endemic to North America, with sightings reported as far north as central Canada, and as far south as northern Mexico. An adult can grow up to 28 inches in length, and weigh up to 14 lbs. Breeding usually occurs in the months of February and March, with a 64-day gestation period. The Striped Skunk typically feeds on insects, fish, fruits, nuts and leaves.

Spotted

• The average Spotted Skunk (Spilogale) measures 16 inches and weighs 1 1/2 lbs. The solitary creature is a good climber and does a handstand when delivering its scent to a potential threat. Two species are differentiated by how they gestate. The Western Spotted Skunk (S. glacilis), unlike its cousin Eastern Spotted Skunk (S. putorius), goes through delayed implantation, where the embryo does not implant for 6 to 7 months. Breeding is usually during September and October.

Hog-nosed

• The less common North American Hog-nosed Skunk (Conepatus leuconotus) lives in parts of Colorado, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. So called for its piglike snout, the Hog-Nosed Skunk roots for insects and beetle grubs for food. It has a white back and tail, with black fur on the sides and belly, and weigh up to 5 lbs. According to the National Museum of Natural History, a subspecies, the Big Thicket Hog-nosed Skunk, is now extinct.

Hooded

• The Hooded Skunk (Mephitis macroura) lacks the white "V" marking distinct to the Striped Skunk. It also has a tail that measures twice as long, at 15 inches. This desert animal is only found in the bushy, rocky areas of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. It feeds on insects and can weigh up to 5 lbs.