The striped hog-nosed skunk (''Conepatus semistriatus'') is a

skunk Skunks are mammals in the family Mephitidae. They are known for their ability to spray a liquid with a strong, unpleasant scent from their anal glands. Different species of skunk vary in appearance from black-and-white to brown, cream or gin ...

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriat ...

from

Central Central is an adjective usually referring to being in the center of some place or (mathematical) object. Central may also refer to: Directions and generalised locations * Central Africa, a region in the centre of Africa continent, also known a ...

and

South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at the northern tip of the continent. It can also be described as the sou ...

(from southern

Mexico Mexico (Spanish language, Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a List of sovereign states, country in the southern portion of North America. It is borders of Mexico, bordered to the north by the United States; to the so ...

to northern

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = National seal , national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...

, and in the extreme east of

Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...

). This species of skunk is considered a generalist species, because they are able to thrive in, and withstand, disturbed environmental conditions. They can live in a wide range of

habitat In ecology, the term habitat summarises the array of resources, physical and biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species habitat can be seen as the physical ...

s, including carrasco, arboreal caatinga, mango orchard, and dry forest scrub and occasionally, in

rainforest Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforest can be classified as tropical rainforest or temperate rainfores ...

. Emmons L. H. & Feer F. 1997 ''Neotropical Rainforest Mammals, A Field Guide.''

Habitat

The striped hog-nosed skunk inhabits mainly the foothills, and partly timbered or brushy, sections of their general range. They usually avoid hot desert areas and heavy stands of timber. The largest populations occur in rocky, sparsely timbered areas.

Behaviour and diet

It is a

nocturnal Nocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal", versus diurnal meaning the opposite. Nocturnal creatures generally have highly developed sens ...

solitary animal, feeding mainly on

invertebrate Invertebrates are a paraphyletic group of animals that neither possess nor develop a vertebral column (commonly known as a ''backbone'' or ''spine''), derived from the notochord. This is a grouping including all animals apart from the chorda ...

s, small vertebrates and fruits. When temperature rises during the day, ''Conepatus semistriatus'' finds shelter in cool burrows and rests to maintain its body temperature and prevent water loss. Although ''C. semistriatus'' are predominantly nocturnal, studies show there is no significant correlation between brightness and activity.

Gallery

Striped Skunk Skeleton.jpg, Striped skunk skeleton Skunk heart.jpg, Skunk heart Animaldentition mephitismephitis.png, Teeth of a striped skunk

References

External links

* Striped hog-nosed Carnivorans of Central America Carnivorans of South America Mammals of Central America Mammals of Mexico Mammals of Colombia Mammals of Venezuela Mammals of Ecuador Mammals of Peru Mammals of Brazil Mammals described in 1785 Least concern biota of North America Least concern biota of South America {{carnivora-stub