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STRIPED SKUNK-IMMATURE                                   STRIPED SKUNK-IMMATURE                                            STRIPED SKUNK-IMMATURE                                  STRIPED SKUNK-IMMATURE















                                      Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR                           Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR                                               Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR                           Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
     SKUNK DAMAGE                                       SKUNK DROPPINGS                                                         SKUNK DAMAGE                                       SKUNK DROPPINGS















                                      Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR                           Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR                                               Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR                           Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

     SKUNKS                                                                             SKUNK                                   SKUNKS                                                                             SKUNK


     Life Cycle                                                                                                                 Life Cycle
     Striped--A litter of about 5-10 young are born in May each year after a                                                    Striped--A litter of about 5-10 young are born in May each year after a
     gestation period of 63 days. They follow the mother out of the den in                                                      gestation period of 63 days. They follow the mother out of the den in
     June or July, walking in single file. Spotted--A litter of about 4-7 young                                                 June or July, walking in single file. Spotted--A litter of about 4-7 young
     are born in May or June after a gestation period of 120 days. They wean                                                    are born in May or June after a gestation period of 120 days. They wean
     from their mother after 50 days.                                                                                           from their mother after 50 days.



                                                                                         Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR                                                                                                  Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
     SKUNKS                                                                         Actual Body Size 13” to 18”                SKUNKS                                                                         Actual Body Size 13” to 18”

     Both Spotted and Striped Skunks are found in Arizona.  Striped Skunks are the larger of the two, with a                   Both Spotted and Striped Skunks are found in Arizona.  Striped Skunks are the larger of the two, with a
     head and body of 13-18 inches and a bushy tail of 7-10 inches.  The obvious characteristic white stripe                   head and body of 13-18 inches and a bushy tail of 7-10 inches.  The obvious characteristic white stripe
     starts at the forehead, divides in two at the shoulders, and then often extends all the way back to the tip               starts at the forehead, divides in two at the shoulders, and then often extends all the way back to the tip
     of the tail.  There is much variation in the stripe width, length, etc.  The Striped Skunk is the one usually             of the tail.  There is much variation in the stripe width, length, etc.  The Striped Skunk is the one usually
     found dead alongside roads, and is very detectable by their odor.                                                         found dead alongside roads, and is very detectable by their odor.

     Spotted Skunks are only 9-13 inches long, with a tail of 5-9 inches in length.  They have a combination                   Spotted Skunks are only 9-13 inches long, with a tail of 5-9 inches in length.  They have a combination
     of spots on the head and broken stripes on the body, with a white tip on the tail.                                        of spots on the head and broken stripes on the body, with a white tip on the tail.

     Striped and Spotted Skunks are found relatively close to a source of water, and prefer open country-                      Striped and Spotted Skunks are found relatively close to a source of water, and prefer open country-
     -brushy areas, mixed woodland, and foothills.  They have a wide variety of foods including insects,                       -brushy areas, mixed woodland, and foothills.  They have a wide variety of foods including insects,
     berries, mice, rats, snails, and carrion.  Dens are created under abandoned buildings, rockpiles, wood-                   berries, mice, rats, snails, and carrion.  Dens are created under abandoned buildings, rockpiles, wood-
     piles, and boulders.  They do not hibernate, but in cold weather several females may den together while                   piles, and boulders.  They do not hibernate, but in cold weather several females may den together while
     males almost always remain solitary.  They are entirely nocturnal, and have been harvested for their                      males almost always remain solitary.  They are entirely nocturnal, and have been harvested for their
     pelts which have some value.  They also can be of some value in getting rid of mice and rats, but may                     pelts which have some value.  They also can be of some value in getting rid of mice and rats, but may
     kill poultry.                                                                                                             kill poultry.






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