Skip to main content
Today is National Trails Day!
Close

Striped Skunk

Mephitis mephitis

Photo by AshleyT
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

30.2762, -103.023

Field Notes

Description:

An overall black body with two white stripes down the back that extends onto the tail.

Habitat:

Found all over North America in woodlands and grasslands.

Notes:

Some graduate students put traps out to catch carnivores. After we caught this guy, we opened the door to let him go, and of course he didn't want to leave. We tried making lots of noise towards the back of the trap, and finally after 10 minutes he came running out, which is what the first two pictures are. We also all got sprayed, it was quite disgusting!

Reference Links:

Striped skunk

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)
AshleyT
Haha well we almost left him there with the trap open then were going to come back later to avoid being sprayed, but one girl decided to move some debris off the top of the trap so the skunk would see it more opened up. That scared him enough to eject a green cloud of nasty at her, and it continued to flow from him as he ran from the trap so we all got it. Was pretty funny though ;)
EmilyMarino
Oh. My. God. I was about to ask how you got him out without getting sprayed, until I read the last line. You are brave souls! I can't imagine how bad that must have been! Who drew the short straw?

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Texas Wildlife Photographers
Photographed
PublishedApril 4, 2013

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies