SPOTTED SKUNK 



The members of the genus Spilogale are found in various 

 haunts, although they are essentially plains and desert 

 animals. Some species occur in forests and on mountain 

 slopes, and others show a preference for rocky canyons cliffs 

 and broken country. The Spotted Skunks are more active 

 than the big Skunks, and climb trees upon occasion. 



The behavior of these small Skunks when attacked is about 

 as described for the genus Mephitis, see page 131. 



Spilogale has the reputation of giving hydrophobia when it 

 bites man, and one of the names for the Spotted Skunk in the 

 Southwest is "Hydrophobia Skunk" or "Phoby-cat " It is 

 well known that both large and small Skunks may contract 

 hydrophobia if bitten by a "mad" Coyote, for example, and 

 there are authentic cases of deaths from bites given by "mad" 

 spilogale. However, this is of very rare occurrence and the 

 average Skunk is scarcely more to be dreaded on this score 

 than any other wild mammal. During an epidemic of hydro- 

 phobia m a given section the Skunks are perhaps more apt to 

 be bitten because of the fact that they rely upon their defensive 

 equipment which usually protects them, but would be value- 

 less against a "mad" Coyote. 



The Spotted Skunk is nocturnal in habit and does not roam 

 about during the day. Observers credit this mammal with a 

 playful and attractive disposition and find very little to mark 

 up against him. 



The young range from two to six in number, the average 

 four or five. The maternal den is located in rocks, hollow 

 logs, or may be in a burrow dug by the Skunk itself or in a 

 deserted burrow of Ground Squirrel, Wood Rat or Burrowine 

 Owl. 



Genus Mephitis' 

 Dentition: Incisors, f ; Canines, \- Premolars, f ; Molars, § =34 



Large Striped Skunk.— Mephitis mephitis 



and related forms 

 Names.-Large Striped Skunk; Big Skunk; Line-backed 

 Skunk; Common Skunk. Plate X. 



A 'J°i^ '7'^^^''?^^ ^'""' ^'^^'''' ^""^^^ "^"^^ °f Chincka) see 

 A. H. Howell. North American Fauna, No. 20, 1901. 



