The Western Spotted Skunk (Spilogale gracilis) is a spotted skunk found throughout the western United States, northern Mexico, and southwestern British Columbia.Their habitat is mixed woodlands, open areas, and farmlands. They ascend to scare predators. They spray by standing on their forelegs and raising their hindlegs and tail in the air. The Western Spotted Skunk was first described by Clinton Hart Merriam in 1890; its specific name, gracilis, is derived from the Latin for "slender". Although it was thought for years to be conspecific with the Eastern Spotted Skunk (S. putorius), the presence of delayed implantation in the Western Spotted Skunk clearly sets it apart.
Ten Facts about Western Spotted Skunk
- There total length is about 35-55 centimetres (14-22 in).
- A small skunk with a pattern of black-and-white stripes and white spots on top of its head.
- There habitants are woodlands, brushy areas, and farmlands.
- They are generally found in part of southwest Canada and south to most of western U.S.
- The female raises the litter of 2 to 12 offspring (kits) alone.
- Kits are born from about the end of April through early June.
- The western spotted skunk (S. gracilis), which breeds in the autumn but undergoes a period of delayed implantation lasting about 150 days.
- If a predator refuses to retreat when the skunk raises its tail, the skunk turns its back, stands on its forefeet, and sprays, often for a distance of 12 feet.
- The Great Horned Owl can strike from above without warning and carry off a young skunk before its mother can spray.
- Most larger carnivores will kill and eat this skunk if they can do so without being sprayed, they usually back off when the skunk starts its unique threat display.
