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  • Joan
    • Travel with Joan
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    • Volunteer Service
    • News and Archived Events and Announcements
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Jasmine                                                                                                                        Striped Skunk
IUCN: Least Concern

Picture
Ten species of skunks are found in the Americas and they are part of the Mephitidae family, which also includes two species of stink badgers, both found in Indonesia and the Philippines. Striped skunks (Memphitis memphitis) are found from southern Canada, throughout the United States, and in northern Mexico. 

Striped skunks are highly adaptable. They live in a wide variety of habitats and they are omnivorous, so they aren't too picky about what they consider home and a good meal. They're primarily insectivores, but depending on where they live, they might consume small vertebrates, in-season fruit and vegetables, or seafood. Jasmine loves mealworms, and likes to be anywhere she can get a good cuddle with someone!

What really makes skunks stand out is their famous stinky spray, which they use as a powerful and effective defense mechanism. They use two scent glands to deploy a yellow, oily odorous musk up to 15 feet away, and they do this with great accuracy. Aside from this defense, though, skunks generally do not pose a threat to humans. In fact, they have very poor eyesight and are easily tamed as pets. However, please use caution when near wild skunks—aside from their smelly spray, they are also known to be carriers of rabies.

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