Striped+Skunk

=**﻿Striped Skunk**=

(//Mephitis mephitis//)
 * < Domain ||< Eukarya ||
 * < Kingdom ||< Animalia ||
 * < phylum ||< chordata ||
 * < Class ||< mamalia ||
 * < Order ||< carnivora ||
 * < Family ||< mephitidae ||
 * < Genus ||< mephitis ||
 * < Species ||< Mephitis mephitis ||

Habitat
The westren striped skunk also known as //Mephitis mephitis// is very common in america. Skunks are mainly known for being "stinkers". Their main habitat is normally located in woodlands, grasss lands and many other types of agricultural land. They are commonly found around water sources ranging from 1-1 1/2 miles from the water source. Striped skunks will take refuge under man made shelters. They also use old abandoned burrows from woodchucks, mongoose's, muskrats, and foxes. Stumps, rockpiles, and brush piles are often a part of the skunk den as well. During the warmer months of the year the skunks will live above ground but in the colder months they will burrow or find somewhere else to go. The western striped skunk has claws on it's front feet primarily used for digging.

**Physiology**
The reason that they are called stinkers or foul smelling animals is because of their defense mechanism. The wetstern striped skunk when thrteatened will not spray on sight. They give off a warning by stamping their feet and growling. (The spotted skunk will raise its rear end over it's head and do a hand stand as a threat display). Some people have said that "the skunk will pee out its musk" (smell). That is a lie. The picture below illustrates how the skunk will spread it's musk. Of course the skunk will try evading the larger pray and sometimes it will spray a cloud of musk but, When the threat display does not work, the last resort is the spray.



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