FIELD BOOK OF MAMMALS 



extremes may be seen. Total length, males, 27 inches, 

 females, 26.5 inches; tail vertebras, males, 14 inches, 

 females, 14 inches; hind foot, males, 2.6 inches, females, 

 2.4 inches. Found in southern Arizona and south into 

 Mexico. 



******* 



The Large Striped Skunks are marked by a revealing color 

 pattern, a coat that advertises its owner, and by its very con- 

 spicuousness warns. Skunks are not liable to confusion with 

 any other mammals since only Skunks (in North America) 

 have this black pelage striped with contrasting white, and the 

 long bushy tail. The unmistakable character of identification 

 is the unique weapon of defense possessed by Skunks and which 

 once experienced will never be forgotten. The heavy build, 

 large size, and broad, unbroken stripes of white easily dis- 

 tinguish this genus from Spilogale. From the other genus of 

 large Skunks, Conepatus, they may be told by the differences 

 enumerated under the discussion of the Hog-nosed Skunk. 



The Large Striped Skunk is usually encountered about 

 clearings, pastures, or open ground near the borders of forest. 

 It is also found on the plains and prairies, seeking cover in the 

 brush along water-courses or in broken country. The animals 

 may be seen upon occasion at any hour of the day, but gen- 

 erally begin their hunting late in the afternoon. They are 

 most active at night. They are slow-moving and deliberate, 

 with great confidence in their powers. Much of their food is 

 obtained by digging and rooting about under the sod. They 

 dig a burrow or use an old Badger hole or other ready-made 

 hole in the ground, and the female makes a grass nest for the 

 young. 



These may number as high as ten to a litter, but from four 

 to six is the average number. The young are bom the latter 

 part of April or early in May. 



The scent of the Skunk is contained in a pair of anal glands 

 which are enclosed in a heavy sheath of muscle and under 

 control of the animal. These glands discharge through a duct 

 which is protruded from the anus when the animal is angered, 

 but normally occupies an internal position. By a powerful 

 muscular contraction the fluid of the gland is ejected in a fine, 

 almost invisible, spray or mist to a distance of eight or ten 

 feet. Down wind the spray itself will travel much faither and 

 the rapid diffusion of this substance will taint objects for many 



130 



