Species MammalsStriped Skunk

Striped Skunk

Mephitis mephitis

CommonMammal
Illustration of Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)
Safety note: Keep your distance — skunks spray when threatened.

The Striped Skunk is famous for its potent sulfur-compound spray, accurate to 10 feet and detectable up to a mile. Despite this, it is a mild-mannered omnivore and beneficial pest controller.

Habitat
Forests, fields, suburban neighborhoods, and farmland
Diet
Insects, grubs, small vertebrates, eggs, fruit, and refuse
How common
Common

Best time to see a Striped Skunk

The best time to see a Striped Skunk is January–July, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 34,916 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Striped Skunk? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Striped Skunk sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Striped Skunk? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Striped Skunk is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love mammals? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More mammals

Sumichrast's Harvest Mouse
Sumichrast's Harvest Mouse
Reithrodontomys sumichrasti
Swift Fox
Swift Fox
Vulpes velox
Tayra
Tayra
Eira barbara
Tayra
Tayra
Eira barbara
Tehuantepec Jackrabbit
Tehuantepec Jackrabbit
Lepus flavigularis
Texas Antelope Squirrel
Texas Antelope Squirrel
Ammospermophilus interpres
Texas Badger
Texas Badger
Taxidea taxus berlandieri
Texas Flying Squirrel
Texas Flying Squirrel
Glaucomys volans texensis