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| A medium-sized (14"-22" long), slender mamal with a small head, short legs, and a prominent, long-haired tail. The eyes are small and the ears short. The coloration is distinctive; overall these animals are black with conspicuous white strips and spots. The Eastern spotted skunk occurs throughout much of the Midwest and parts of the south and southeast, though spotted skunks are found throughout the U.S. They are never as common as striped skunks, and may have declined because of the use of pesticides, since they are largely insect eaters (biomagnification). They live in open prairie, brushy areas, and cultivated land, and den in a variety of above and below ground areas. They are mostly nocturnal and very secretive. They eat insects primarily but will also feed on the occasional mouse, rabbit, or other small mammal. Both spotted and striped skunks will spray an acrid chemical on attackers or intruders; spotted skunks tend to have a more obnoxious odor. They can accurately fire this spray for 5-10feet, and less accurately to 20feet. Skunks usually spray behind, but can also spray to the side and in front by twisting the body. They often warn enemies, by stamping their feet, doing a handstand, growling, hissing, or most often, by raising the tail and erecting the tail hairs. |
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