LONG TAILED TEXAS SKUNK
SPECIES: Mephitis mephitis varians
STATUS: Least Concern
HABITAT: Woodlands, brushy area, fields and rocky outcrops
DIET: All skunks are omnivores, eating anything from fallen fruit, berries, insects, snakes, lizards, amphibians, grubs and earthworms.
GENERAL: Most species of skunks are black with a white stripe, but the amount of black and white varies from not only different species of skunk but also to individual animals.
All skunks have two developed scent glands, a yellowish liquid that is used for self-defense. The skunk at first will stomp its feet to warn away a predator, if that does not work then it will turn raise its tail and squirt the foul smelling liquid at the potential threat.
There are 13 subspecies of Striped Skunk
Canada skunk
Illinois skunk
Florida skunk
Arizona skunk
Southern California skunk
Northern Plains skunk
Great Basin skunk
Louisiana skunk
Eastern skunk
Cascade skunk
California skunk
Puget Sound skunk
Long-tailed Texas skunk
*The map shows the overall natural range of all thirteen subspecies of Striped Skunk.
