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| This is a medium-sized (20"-30" long), stout animal with a small head, short legs, and prominent, long-haired tail, similar to the spotted skunk but larger with different coloration. Striped skunks are black with a thin white stripe running down the center of the face and a broad white one beginning on the back of the head, forking on the shoulders, and extending toward and sometimes onto the tail. Striped skunks are found through the U.S. and most of Canada. They inhabit a variety of areas but prefer forest borders, brushy fields, or both areas near permanent water. They often sleep above ground during warmer weather, but also have dens, usually below ground. Striped skunks are nocturnal, but start hunting in late afternoon. They feed on a variety of plant and animal matter, including insects, small rodents, grasses, nuts, and berries. |
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