Striped Skunk

Mephitis mephitis

General Status Rank: 
Undetermined
ELCODE: 
AMAJF06010
Common Name: 
Striped Skunk
Scientific Name: 
Mephitis mephitis
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Carnivora
Family: 
Mephitidae
References: 
B001
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

1 year
References: 
B112

Longevity

Captive up to 10 years, in wild, from 2 to 3.5 years
References: 
B112

Economic/Human Considerations

Eat insects and rodents on agricultural lands.
References: 
B001
Habitat
Mainly agricultural lands but also in forest and valleys.
References: 
B001
Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Plains, Boreal Plains
References: 
B001

Distribution

9% of the NWT. Around Fort Smith and maybe Fort Liard (H122). First confirmed near Enterprise/Louise Falls in 2010 (H421).
Score: 
F = 2
References: 
B112
H122
H241

Number of Occurrences

Probably very few (H122), at northern limit of range (H122). J. Hordel has 2 separate confirmed reports of skunks in the Enterprise/Louise Falls from October 2010. First confirmed reports of skunks in the Hay River area to his knowledge. Fort Smith is known to have occasional skunks (H241). Report in Rober River in the 1950s (H242).
References: 
H122
H241
H242

Area of Occupancy

Stable based on sightings in Fort Smith. Educated guess based on local observations.
Score: 
-
Population

Population Size

Probably very small (less than 1,000) (H122); at northern limit of range.
Score: 
C = 2
References: 
H122

Density

13.5 per sq. mile of agricultural land.
Threats

Threats

Score: 
C = M
References: 
B001

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Score: 
-
References: 
B001
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Undetermined
Status Rank Description: 
Lack of evidence of threats and at extreme northern limit; abundant further south.
S Rank: 
SU
Decision Process Description: 
Reviewed in 2004 and changed from secure to undetermined due to little information. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 15, 2024

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Habitat

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Longevity

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Bradley, M (1999) Personnal Communication. Biologist / Wood Buffalo National Park, Fort Smith, NT - H122 Return
  • Jerry Hordel (2010) Skunks report. Email form Allicia Kelly to S Carriere on October 18, 2010 17:07 printed in binder - H241 Return
  • Susan Fleck (2010) Skunk - E-mail about memories of Danny Beaulieu in Rocher River - sent to S Carriere 19/10/2010. printed in binder - H242 Return

Population Size

Bradley, M (1999) Personnal Communication. Biologist / Wood Buffalo National Park, Fort Smith, NT - H122 Return

Range Extent

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return
  • Bradley, M (1999) Personnal Communication. Biologist / Wood Buffalo National Park, Fort Smith, NT - H122 Return
  • Jerry Hordel (2010) Skunks report. Email form Allicia Kelly to S Carriere on October 18, 2010 17:07 printed in binder - H241 Return

Taxonomy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Threats

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return