About the Striped Skunk

Striped skunks are small mammals native to North America, known for their distinctive black and white coloration and their ability to spray a strong-smelling liquid as a defense mechanism. These nocturnal animals are omnivores, eating a varied diet of insects, small mammals, fruits, and plants. Skunks have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell. They are generally docile and will usually warn potential threats with foot stamping and tail raising before resorting to spraying. Skunks play an important role in ecosystems by controlling insect populations and dispersing seeds. Despite their infamous spray, skunks are beneficial to farmers for pest control and are sometimes kept as exotic pets. However, they can be carriers of rabies, so caution is advised in areas where skunks are common.