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The two major thiols of the striped skunks, (E)-2-butene-1-thiol and 3-methyl-1-butanethiol are the major components in the secretion of the spotted skunks along with a third thiol, 2-phenylethanethiol. [13] Thioacetate derivatives of the three thiols are present in the spray of the striped skunks but not the spotted skunks.
The western spotted skunk was first described by Clinton Hart Merriam in 1890; [18] its specific name, gracilis, is derived from the Latin for "slender". [3] There remains discussion on whether the western spotted skunk is a subspecies of the eastern spotted skunk (S. putorius), a common skunk in the eastern United States. Many support the idea ...
Eastern spotted skunks usually breed in March or April and give birth in late May or early June. [9] On average the female skunk gives birth to 4–5 baby skunks (kits) at a time. It takes twelve weeks before newborn skunks will become fully developed into adult skunks and two months before they develop skunk musk to use as self-defense.
Each female skunk typically has one litter, while male skunks can father multiple litters. Usually, each litter produces four to six baby skunks in May or June. Baby skunks are called kits.
The twelve species of Mephitidae are split into four genera: the monotypic Conepatus, hog-nosed skunks; Mephitis, skunks; Mydaus, stink badgers; and Spilogale, spotted skunks. Mephitidae was traditionally a clade within the Mustelidae family, with the stink badgers combined with other badgers within the Melinae genus, but more recent genetic ...
Skunk species vary in size from about 15.6 to 37 in (40 to 94 cm) long and in weight from about 1.1 lb (0.50 kg) (spotted skunks) to 18 lb (8.2 kg) (hog-nosed skunks). They have moderately elongated bodies with relatively short, well-muscled legs and long front claws for digging.
Taking his handicap in stride, the fuzzy local has perfected the art of the handstand -- an acrobatic talent that he seems to have perfected. RELATED: NJ woman in hot water over rescue squirrels.
Mephitidae is a family of mammals comprising the skunks and stink badgers. They are noted for the great development of their anal scent glands , which they use to deter predators. Skunks were formerly classified as a subfamily of the Mustelidae (the weasel family); however, in the 1990s, genetic evidence caused skunks to be treated as a ...