Skunk

Scientific name: Mephtitis Mephitis

There are many different varieties of skunk, of which almost all live in North America. At Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, we have a striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis).

The skunk is, perhaps, most renowned for its ability to produce a foul-smelling spray which it uses as a predator-deterrent. This spray is an oily liquid that is produced in the glands under the skunk’s tail. When under threat, the skunk turns around and blasts its adversary with the potent spray. The scientific name for skunk (mephitis) actually derives from the Latin word Mephit, meaning bad odour!

Striped skunks are found in a range of habitats in North America including wooded areas, scrublands, forests and grassy plains. They can also be found in suburban and urban areas; because of this, people often see as skunks as pests.

Skunks usually breed once a year between the months of February and April. The skunk’s gestation period lasts between 59-77 days and a female skunk can have up to 10 young in a litter. 

Adopt an animal meet a skunk

You might also like...