A Mammal Brief
By Lindsay Rogers
Coming in at about half the
size of the striped skunk, the
eastern spotted skunk
(Spilogale putorius) is easily
differentiated by not only size,
but also coloration. Striped skunks
have two characteristic white
stripes along either side of their
backs. Spotted skunks have multiple
bands or spots and white-tipped tails.
Spotted skunks, similar to striped
skunks, are omnivores with a large part of their diet coming from insects, small animals, bird eggs and berries
or fruit. Spotted skunks are the only North American skunk species that can easily climb. As such, they are often
found in woodland areas including riparian wetlands and forests, but can also be found in prairies and cropland.
Historically, eastern spotted skunks could be found statewide, but their population has declined since the
1940s. Fur harvest records report a harvest of 35,260 individuals in 1944, declining to only 33 by 1982. A similar
population decline was documented in surrounding states, and biologists are not certain of the cause of their
decline. Presently, spotted skunks are protected year-round in Nebraska and reports of them are rare.
If you see an eastern spotted skunk, please report your sighting to Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
Furbearer Specialist Sam Wilson, sam.wilson@nebraska.gov. ■
10 NEBRASKAland • NOVEMBER 2016
Lindsay Rogers is an outdoor education specialist
with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
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Eastern Spotted Skunk
