Skunk

Conepatus

Description

Skunk species vary in size from about 40 cm to 70 cm and in weight from about 0.5 kg (the spotted skunks) to 4.5 kg (the hog-nosed skunks) They have a moderately elongated body with reasonably short, well-muscled legs, and long front claws for digging.

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Although the most common fur color is black and white, some skunks are brown or gray, and a few are cream-colored. All skunks are striped, however, even from birth. They may have a single thick stripe across back and tail, two thinner stripes, or a series of white spots and broken stripes (in the case of the spotted skunk). Some also have stripes on their legs.

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