Western counterpart to eastern spotted skunk. Performs handstand displays before spraying.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The western spotted skunk is a spotted skunk of western North America.
Source: Wikipedia — Western spotted skunk Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Small skunk with intricate spotted/striped white pattern on black body.
Similar species. Eastern Spotted Skunk (sister species).
Voice. Hisses; foot-stomps.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Insects, small vertebrates, plant matter.
Behavior. Western counterpart to eastern spotted skunk. Same handstand defensive display.
§ Range
Western US
§ Habitat
Diverse habitats
§ Threats
Habitat loss.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the western spotted skunk is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support western habitat conservation.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Western spotted skunk
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Spilogale gracilis
- IUCN Red List · taxon 41637
- iNaturalist · taxon 41882
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Spilogale gracilis
§ Sources cited
- American Society of Mammalogists
- IUCN Red List 2016
