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How do striped skunks move?
Activity and Movement: Striped skunks are strong swimmers but rarely enter water. Their terrestrial movement, which normally occurs from sunset to dawn, is a slow amble or waddle, although a skunk can move quickly by galloping for short distances at a speed of about 16.5 km/h (10 mph).
Do skunks walk on their hind legs?
Skunk Behavior For example, hog-nosed skunks stand on their hind legs and slam their front paws down while hissing at their enemy. This, combined with their striking black and white appearance is usually enough to deter any predators.
Will skunks move on?
From early spring until late fall, skunks migrate from den to den every few days or so. Other than possibly digging a few holes in your yard and getting into your trash, damage from skunks is not usually cause for concern. For this reason, the best course of action is to wait out their stay until they move on.
How do you identify a striped skunk?
The striped skunk is easily recognized due to its black fur and prominent white markings. The average adult skunk has one stripe running from the tip of their snout to the crest of their forehead, as well as a stripe that runs down the length of their back.
How long do striped skunks live?
Facts About Striped Skunks Skunks typically live 3 years in the wild, 15 years in captivity.
What is a striped skunk predator?
Predation. Because of its formidable defensive capability, the striped skunk has few natural enemies. Mammalian predators typically avoid skunks, unless they are starving. Such predators include cougars, coyotes, bobcats, badgers, and red and gray foxes.
Do striped skunks do handstands?
Not all skunks do handstands, just the spotted ones. The most common skunk in North America is the striped skunk — a stocky animal, around the size of a housecat, black with white stripes; think Pepé Le Pew.
Do skunks lift their legs to spray?
Spotted skunks use a “handstand” method of spraying. They stand on their front paws, hold their hind legs in the air, and with tail arched shoots a stream at their target. The spotted skunk can hold its handstand for five seconds, which is plenty of time to aim and spray.
How long do skunks stay in one area?
Skunks typically have a single litter of four to six babies in May-June; skunks den in old woodchuck burrows, hollow logs, wood or rock piles, or under buildings and stone walls. The young remain in the den for about eight weeks.
What is the order of a striped skunk?
Carnivores
TherapsidFerungulata
Striped skunk/Order
How big is a striped skunk?
between 18 and 32 inches
Striped skunks are between 18 and 32 inches in length and weigh up to eight pounds, making them the approximate size of a house cat.