Plains Spotted Skunk

Plains spotted skunk has jet black fur and distinct white spots in front of the ears and between the eyes.  It has  four to six broken white stripes extending from its neck along its back and sides. It has a white triangle on its forehead.  The tail is solid black except for a spot of white at the base and a little at the tip.  The total length of  spotted skunk is 426-567 mm (17-22 inches ).  The spotted skunk is nocturnal and  omnivorous in nature; it eats some birds, vegetables,  insects (during summer),  mice and  rats (during winter). Litters of about five young spotted skunks are born from April to July.

Plains spotted skunk live in open tallgrass prairies, forests, bushy areas and cultivated land.  Wild habitat is  generally associated with streams or rivers, but will also live in areas of human habitation including barns and brush piles.