Species MammalsWestern Spotted Skunk

Western Spotted Skunk

Spilogale gracilis

UncommonMammal
Illustration of Western Spotted Skunk (Spilogale gracilis)
Safety note: May carry rabies — do not approach or handle.

The Western Spotted Skunk is a slender, agile skunk of western North America that breeds in autumn and delays implantation until spring—giving it one of the most extended gestation periods of any North American mustelid. It is a skilled climber and frequently investigates crevices in rock walls and cacti for arthropod prey. Its broken white stripe pattern is unique among western skunks.

Habitat
Rocky canyons, chaparral, desert edges, and open forests
Diet
Insects, small rodents, birds' eggs, and berries
How common
Uncommon

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