Spotted Skunk
Spotted Skunk
Spirogale putorius
Spotted Skunk Tracks
Natural History of Spotted Skunks
The spotted skunk, also known as the hydrophobia cat or the
civet cat, is the size of a small domestic cat, about half the size of a
striped skunk. They are more social than other skunks. Several may share a den
over the winter. They den in hollow logs, brush piles, and the burrows of other
animals. The spotted skunk is the most carnivorous of all skunks. It eats
small mammals, insects, rats, mice, grapes, fruit, corn, and grubs. Owls are the primary predator of skunks. Owls can strike silently
from above and carry off a young skunk before the parent can use its defensive
spray. Spotted skunks are good climbers and will climb trees to escape
from predators. They are faster and more agile than striped skunks. In early spring, four to six blind, furred young are born. They
don't have the distinctive black and white spotted fur coloration until early
summer. The spotted skunk has a unique spraying behavior. When threatened,
it will turn its back, do a handstand on its forefeet, raise its tail, and
spray. It can accurately spray a predator 12 to 20 feet away. Most predators are
wary and will back off when the skunk begins this display. Skunk scent comes
from a chemical called methyl mercaptan and is carried in glands near the
animal’s tail. Spotted skunk tracks show five toes on each foot, with claw marks.
The heel pad of the hind print is distinctively lobed. These skunks were hunted for their fine, silky pelts, which are
very valuable. Spotted skunks have a home range of about 150 acres. They weigh
one to two pounds and are about 1½ feet long from nose to tip of tail. They den
in dry places, beneath buildings, in tree cavities, or in rock piles.
Personal Notes on Spotted Skunks
Got a skunk story? E-mail me and tell me about it.
Copyright © 1997. Text and drawings by Kim A. Cabrera
