Striped Skunk

Mephitis mephitis

no photo — written note
photo: Wikimedia Commons
Animals

A slow-moving night forager that digs neat cone-shaped holes hunting grubs in lawns and fields.

Field facts
HabitatField edges, woodlots, towns
RangeStatewide
When to lookYear-round; denning in deep winter
StatusLeast Concern (Indiana DNR / IUCN Red List)
Look-alikesYoung badger at night

Field note: Those small cone-shaped divots in a lawn are usually skunk grub holes.

Lesson
Watching responsibly

Back away slowly if a skunk stamps its front feet — that is the warning.

Can carry rabies. Do not approach a skunk out in daylight.

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