Species MammalsAmerican Hog-nosed Skunk

American Hog-nosed Skunk

Conepatus leuconotus

UncommonMammal
Illustration of American Hog-nosed Skunk (Conepatus leuconotus)
Safety note: May carry rabies — do not approach or handle.

The American Hog-nosed Skunk has the most prominent white back of any skunk and an elongated, bare-skinned snout adapted for rooting through soil for invertebrates. It is a largely nocturnal species found in rocky and brushy landscapes of the American Southwest and Mexico. Unlike other skunks, it rarely sprays unless severely threatened.

Habitat
Rocky canyons, shrublands, and open woodlands
Diet
Beetles, grubs, scorpions, and small vertebrates
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a American Hog-nosed Skunk

The best time to see a American Hog-nosed Skunk is July–December, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 685 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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