SKUNKS 91 



reaches the floor of Yosemite Valley. Locally it was found very commonly 

 at Snelling ; probably its maximum abundance is in that direction. 



In Yosemite Valley the species came to our notice only along the warm 

 north side. One was trapped December 29, 1914, in the talus at the foot 

 of Indian Caiion, where it had a retreat beneath a granite boulder. 

 Another was taken June 25, 1915, beneath a boulder pile near the lower 

 end of the Yosemite Falls trail. 



The Spotted Skunk makes use of natural retreats and of the burrows 

 of other mammals. Our records indicate that specimens were taken not 

 only near crevices or holes under rocks, but at the mouths of ground 

 squirrel burrows, and near old badger holes. 



The food of this skunk, as of its larger relative, is quite varied, includ- 

 ing small mammals, insects, and vegetable materials of several sorts. 



The Spotted Skunk is provided with glands near the base of the tail 

 which, when the animal is provoked, emit a malodorous secretion. To our 

 nostrils this odor does not differ in strength or quality from that of the 

 Striped Skunk. 



Striped Skunk. Mephitis occidentalis Baird 



Field characters. — Size of adult about that of domestic cat; tail nearly as long as 

 head and body and very bushy. Head and body 12i/^ to 171/4 inches (318-440 mm.), 

 tail 11 to 13y2 inches (280-345 mm.), ear about % inch (15-20 mm.), weight Si/g to 

 8% pounds (1.5-3.8 kg.). Coloration black except for a narrow line of white up middle 

 of forehead, and a white area beginning on hind neck and continuing backwards, divid- 

 ing into two stripes which extend to rump and usually run out on either side of tail; 

 more or less white also on bases of tail hairs. 'Skunky' odor characteristic. 



Occurrence. — Common resident at lower altitudes on both slopes of Sierra Nevada. 

 Eecorded on west slope from Snelling and Lagrange eastward to Sweetwater Creek, 

 Yosemite Valley, and Chinquapin; east of mountains in vicinity of Williams Butte. 

 Lives in holes in ground and in culverts and under rocks and buildings ; forages far and 

 wide at dusk and during night. 



The Striped Skunk needs no introduction. It has long been sought 

 after because of its valuable fur, and it is also well known in the environ- 

 ment of farms even in settled portions of the country. Persons who walk 

 abroad in the early evening along the country roads of the Yosemite foot- 

 hills are likely to encounter this animal as it starts out on its nightly forays ; 

 for the skunk, unlike most other wild animals, does not take to cover at 

 the approach of a human being. 



The Striped Skunk is nearly twice the length of, and from 4 to 6 times 

 as heavy as, the Little Spotted Skunk. Its body is heavy and the fur is 

 relatively long. The hairs on the tail are often as much as 5 inches in 

 length, and give to this member a plume-like appearance. Indeed, when 

 held aloft, as it is when the skunk is disturbed, the tail constitutes its most 

 conspicuous feature. 



