Mephitidae - skunks, stink badgers

There are 12 species of in this family. Skunks are found in North, Central, and South America. Stink badgers are found in Indonesia and the Philippines.

Members of this family are black, brown, or gray and have white stripes or spots. Skunks and stink badgers are about the size of a domestic cat and have squat bodies; bushy tails; and powerful, stubby legs. They have a gland under their tails that emits a spray with strong odor. This spray is used to warn away predators. In addition to smelling bad, this spay also causes a stinging sensation.

Skunks and stink badgers are nocturnal and spend the day in a burrow or den or hidden under rocks or a log. They have strong front claws that help them dig into the soil for food. They are omnivores and eat vegetation, insects, larvae, worms, small birds, eggs, small mammals, and reptiles. Skunks and stink badgers are solitary, although some species may gather together in a den in cold weather.

World Status Key

Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct

Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key

Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game