Striped Skunk

What's that smell? Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) famously spray a smelly mixture of sulfuric chemicals when threatened. You can spot--or smell--them sometimes along the creek in Dimond Park. They are primarily noctural, so you're unlikely to see one during the daytime. They usually burrow but readily adapt to using brush piles, hollow logs, and culverts if natural dens are unavailable. These skunks are about the size of a full-grown house cat and are easily recognizable by their black fur with distinctive white stripes across their head and back. Voracious omnivores, striped skunks consume insects, earthworms, small rodents, snakes, frogs, mushrooms, fruit, pet food, and garbage. Observe these charismatic critters from a safe distance!