156 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 66 



Figure 51. — Distribution of Mephitis mephitis nigra. 



to considerable individual variation. Some animals are almost comp- 

 letely black, while others are predominately white on the back. 



This species cannot be confused with any other Maryland mammal 

 except possibly the spotted skunk {Spilogale) ^ from which it differs 

 in larger size and in having two rather than four white dorsal stripes. 

 In Mephitis the nose patch is always a slender stripe, whereas in 

 Spilogale it is a broad triangular patch. 



Measurements, — Two adult males and two adult females from Cabin 

 John, Montgomery County, have the following external and cranial 

 measurements: Total length 597, 648, 568, 648; tail 228, 260, 235, 270; 

 hind foot 64, 70, 57, 67; basilar length of skull 61.5, 60.5, 55.0, 60.0; 

 zygomatic breadth 43.2, 46.7, 41.4, 41.9 ; least interorbital breadth 18.8, 

 19.6, 19.2, 18.1 ; maxillary toothrow 21.3, 20.7, 20.2, 20.5. 



Habitat and hahits. — This skunk is found in brushland, sparse woods 

 weedy fields or pastures, under wood piles and rock piles, and around 

 buildings. It is most common along brushy borders of streams and in 

 rock piles and thickets at the base of cliffs. 



The striped skunk makes its home in a burrow which it may dig in 

 a brushy area or pasture, or it may occupy the burrow of some other 

 animal such as a woodchuck. Occasionally the den may be in a cave 

 or under a log or stump. Burrows average between 18 and 20 feet long 

 and may reach to a depth of 3 to 4 feet below the surface of the ground. 



