Photos by Stan Tekeila ©2004

Spotted Skunk

by Stan Tekiela
© 2003 NatureSmart
September 21, 2003

There are many unique animals in the northland but the Eastern Spotted Skunk ranks up there near the top of the unique animal list. The spotted skunk is a very small black animal with many white marks or elongated spots running vertically or around its body, unlike the more familiar Striped Skunk which has only two white stripes running lengthwise down its body. As I mentioned, the Spotted Skunk is very small, weighting in at less than 2 pounds with the males being slightly larger than the females. They are about 18-20 inches long with nearly half of that being tail. Because of their diminutive size, when you first see one of these animals you are tempted to think it is baby skunk.

Like their cousin the Striped Skunk the Spotted Skunk is a member of the weasel family. The Striped skunk has a wide body and a full bushy tail while the tiny Spotted Skunk has a narrow body more like a weasel and a moderately furry tail. It also moves more like a weasel with short quick jumps and hops.

The Spotted Skunk, which was sometimes called "civet cat", was once common in many parts of the northland. Populations peaked in the 1940's but due to changes in agricultural practices-- the population of the Spotted Skunk has declined dramatically with the biggest drop occurring over the past 20-30 years. Today this animal is rarely seen and is thought to be eliminated from many regions. For this, it should be considered for official listing in many states. Both species of skunk have the ability to spray an attacker up to 15 feet away, four to six consecutive times with a bitter, fowl smelling mist. So it's best to leave these animals alone. Both species smell the same.

The Spotted Skunk is a true omnivore feeding on mice, insects, small birds and their eggs, fruit, berries, fungi, frogs and salamanders. Compared to the Striped Skunk the Spotted Skunk is very secretive and is rarely seen. In addition, the Striped Skunk rarely every climbs trees while the smaller Spotted Skunk makes regular trips into trees in search of food and to escape predators such as foxes.

Mating occurs in February and March. Gestation is only 60 days with mothers giving birth to 2-6 young. Babies are born in May and June and look like miniature adults. Early each winter the Spotted Skunk will start to den up and become inactive for several days and even weeks at a time. However they do not hibernate. They often come out during warm spells to search around for food.

So the next time you see a "baby" skunk, take a closer look. It just might be the civet cat.

Until next time...