| Striped hog-nosed skunk | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Mephitidae |
| Genus: | Conepatus |
| Species: | C. semistriatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Conepatus semistriatus (Boddaert, 1785) | |
 | |
| Striped hog-nosed skunk range | |
Thestriped hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus semistriatus) is askunkspecies that is found inCentral andSouth America. It is distributed from southernMexico to northernPeru, and in a pocket in the extreme east of Brazil. They live in a wide range of habitats such as dry forests, orchards, and occasionally inrainforests. It is classified asleast concern in theIUCN Red List.
The striped hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus semistriatus) belongs to the genusConepatus. It comes under the familyMephitidae, which includesskunks andstink badgers.[2] It was first described byPieter Boddaert in 1785.[3]
The range of striped hog-nosed skunk extends from southernMexico inCentral America to northernPeru inSouth America, and in a pocket in the extreme east of Brazil.[4][5][6] They live in a wide range ofhabitats, including arborealcaatingas, orchards, anddry forest scrubs, grasslands, and occasionally, inrainforests.[7] In the wet season, they prefer higher grounds indeciduous forests. They usually reside in small dens made from fallen tree logs or burrows of about 1–2 m (3 ft 3 in – 6 ft 7 in) length dug below the surface. They also use burrows dug by other animals.[8] It is classified asleast concern in theIUCN Red List.[1]
The species measures about 35–50 cm (14–20 in) from head to tail with the females slightly smaller than the males. It weighs about 1.4–3.5 kg (3.1–7.7 lb) and has a short tail covered with black hair. The snout small and is typically black. The fur varies in color and has two narrow white stripes running from the head to the rump. The species has long claws and forelimbs adapted for digging.[8][9] They also have specialized skunk glands used to spray a fluid as a means of defense.[4]
It is anocturnal solitary animal, and are mostly active after sunset.[7][10] The animals are rarely seen during the daylight hours. They areomnivores feeding oninvertebrates, smallvertebrates and fruits.[8][11] The species breed in the early spring. It produces a litter of two to five animals after agestation period of about 60 days.[8]
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link){{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
Media related toConepatus semistriatus at Wikimedia Commons