The Spotted Skunk

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The Spotted Skunk
Stephanie Spera
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(No Transcript)
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The Eastern Spotted Skunk - Spilogale putorius

• Identification
• Triangular patch on forehead
• 4-6 broken white strips
• 2-4 spots
• Civet Cat
• Smaller than a striped skunk
• 14-22 inches long (including the tail)
• 3/4 - 2 lbs

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Typical Characteristics

• Teeth - large carnassials
• Small mammals
• Insects
• Claws
• Climbing trees
• Digging
• Agile

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Quirks

• Social
• Does Not Hibernate
• Hunts best in winter
• Nocturnal
• Handstand

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Habitat

• Not endemic to glades
• Variety of habitats
• Forest borders
• Tall-grass prairies
• Stony and desert terrain
• Dens under rocks/rock crevices
• Already built
• Southwestern Northeastern MO
• Also Western Spotted Skunk

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Endangered

• Not Federally listed as endangered
• Natural predators
• Coyote, Great Horned Owl, domestic dog
• Population began declining in the mid-1990s
• Prairie Region
• Loss of habitat
• Human beings
• Agriculture
• Increase in pesticide use
• Automobiles
• Hunted

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Why Care?

• Dont want a species to go extinct if you can
  prevent it
• Naturally control insect mouse population
• Wicked cool

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Actions

• No state has a specific program
• Educate people about why not to kill them
• Limit the use of pesticides
• Taking suggestions

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Works Cited

• http//www.enature.com/flashcard/show_flash_card.a
  sp?recordNumberMA0039
• http//animaldiversity.ummz/umch/edu/site/accounts
  /information/Spilogale_putorius.html
• http//pennpress.typepsad.com/pennpresslog/2007/06
  /wildlife_of_the_1.thml
• http//www.blueplanetbiomes.org/spotteds_skunk.htm
  
• http//www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/spilputo.htm
• http//mdc.mo.gov/nathis/mammals/skunk/
• MDC Spotted Skunk Information Sheet