# Skunk (*Mephitis mephitis*)

> The striped skunk is a cat-sized North American mammal best known for the foul-smelling spray it fires from glands under its tail to deter predators. Its bold black-and-white pattern is a warning to leave it alone. Skunks are omnivores active mainly at night, weigh up to about 6 kg (13 lb), and usually live 2 to 3 years in the wild.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** From southern Canada through the United States to northern Mexico, in woodland, grassland, farmland, and towns.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/skunk/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Carnivora
- **Family:** Mephitidae
- **Genus:** Mephitis

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Mephitis mephitis |
| Diet | Omnivore (insects, small animals, fruit) |
| Habitat | Woodland, grassland, farmland, suburbs |
| Lifespan | 2–3 years wild (up to 7) |
| Weight | 1.2–6 kg (2.6–13 lb) |
| Top speed | 16 km/h (10 mph) |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## The famous spray

A skunk's defence is a pair of glands beside the anus that can fire a fine, oily, sulphur-based spray up to about 3 m (10 ft) with good aim. The smell is overpowering and can cause stinging and temporary blindness if it hits the eyes. Skunks would rather warn than waste it: a threatened skunk stamps its feet, hisses, raises its tail, and — in spotted skunks — may even do a handstand before spraying as a last resort.

## Diet and behaviour

Striped skunks are opportunistic omnivores that eat insects, grubs, worms, small rodents, eggs, fruit, and human refuse, using their strong claws to dig for grubs and raid wasp nests. They are mainly nocturnal and largely solitary, though several may share a den in cold weather. Their bold coloration means they have few predators apart from the great horned owl, which has a poor sense of smell.

## Range and dens

The striped skunk ranges across most of North America from southern Canada to northern Mexico, living in woodland, grassland, farmland, and increasingly in towns and suburbs. It shelters in burrows — often abandoned ones dug by other animals — as well as under buildings, woodpiles, and decks, which sometimes brings it into conflict with people.

## Conservation and disease

Skunks are listed as Least Concern and remain common across their range. Many are killed on roads, and skunks are one of the main wild carriers of rabies in North America, so a skunk acting tame or active in daylight should be treated with caution. Despite this, they provide a valuable service by eating large numbers of insect and rodent pests.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a group of skunks called?

A group of skunks is called a surfeit. Skunks are mostly solitary, though several may share a den in winter, and a baby skunk is called a kit.

### How far can a skunk spray?

A striped skunk can accurately spray its foul, oily musk up to about 3 m (10 ft), and the smell can carry much further on the wind. It usually gives several warnings before spraying.

### Do skunks always spray?

No. Spraying is a last resort because the supply takes time to refill. A skunk first warns by stamping its feet, hissing, and raising its tail, and only sprays if these threats are ignored.

### What do skunks eat?

Skunks are omnivores that eat insects, grubs, worms, small rodents, eggs, fruit, and human food waste. They dig in soil for grubs and are useful natural controllers of insect and rodent pests.

### Are skunks dangerous?

Skunks are not aggressive and rarely bite, but their spray is highly unpleasant and they are a leading wild carrier of rabies in North America. A skunk that seems tame or is active by day should be avoided.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Mephitis mephitis.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Mephitis%20mephitis&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Mephitis mephitis. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mephitis_mephitis/)
- [Wikipedia — Skunk.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_skunk)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/skunk/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.