Western Spotted Skuck

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Western Spotted Skunk (Spilogale gracilis) is a spotted skunk  found throughout the  western United States, northern  Mexico , and southwestern  British Columbia. With a total length of 35–55 centimetres (14–22 in), the Western Spotted Skunk is smaller than the Striped Skunk  (Mephitis mephitis). Their habitat is mixed woodlands, open areas, and farmlands. They ascend to scare predators. They spray by standing on their forelegs and raising their hindlegs and tail in the air. EnlargeSkeleton of Spilogale gracilis.== edit ] Taxonomy and etymology== The Western Spotted Skunk was first described by Clinton Hart Merriam  in 1890;| [3]  its specific name, gracilis, is derived from the  Latin  for "slender".| [4]  Although it was thought for years to be conspecific with the Eastern Spotted Skunk (S. putorius), the presence of  delayed implantation  in the Western Spotted Skunk clearly sets it apart.| [5]

Seven subspecies are generally recognized:| [1]
 * S. g. amphiala (=amphialus) Dickey, 1929 - Channel Islands Spotted Skunk  ( Channel Islands of California )