Prairie Spotted Skunk 
215 
southern Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, 
south in east Texas to middle of State, and in Colorado has been 
taken at Wray, Yuma County, but a few miles west of the Nebraska 
line. 
Habits. — The spotted skunks have the same means of 
defence as the larger species. They are, however, somewhat 
different in their habits, being hghter in build, and more 
agile, often climbing trees and bushes. They seem to make 
their homes about rocks, whenever possible. However, 
when no rocky places are available they will use holes else- 
where, and dig burrows for themselves. They are said to be 
strictly nocturnal in habits, and so are but rarely seen abroad. 
Merriam says that when moving about in the moonlight 
their markings blend with the lights and shadows in such a 
way as to render the animals very inconspicuous. 
The spotted skunks in many parts of the west are known 
as "Hydrophobia Skunks" or "Phoby Cats." The notion 
prevails that their bite invariably causes hydrophobia, and is 
fatal. Howell says in his revision of the genus: "While 
there are a few authentic cases of skunk bite having re- 
sulted fatally, there are also many instances in which it has 
produced no ill effect whatever. The recorded cases of 
skunk rabies arc nearly all from the plains region of the 
West (Kansas, Texas, and Arizona) and relate more to 
Mephitis than to Spilogale. The most plausible explanation 
of these facts seems to be that at certain periods rabies may 
become locally epidemic among dogs and wolves, and by 
them be communicated to skunks." We have never heard 
of any cases of this sort in Colorado, though one occasionally 
hears of mad wolves or coyotes, usually newspaper stories. 
The food is much the same as that of the other skunks, 
though presumably they do not attack as large animals, 
and possibly they eat more insects, and also, because of their 
climbing abilities, may catch more small birds. 
