A hand-held spotlight sweeps across a dark Texas landscape. Dogs, anxiously awaiting their final let out for the night, are held at bay until the light reaches every corner of their domain and confirms the threat is not in sight. The property owner tentatively breathes a sigh of relief and releases the hounds. Safe for tonight at least. What potential peril lurks in the inky recesses of this spring night? Ferocious feral hog? Hungry coyote? Menacing mountain lion? Nope. This hazard is an adorable black and white ball of fur with the fluffiest of tails that can unleash an olfactory assault and trigger days of dog baths. It is Mephitis mephitis—the common striped skunk.
Types of skunks in Texas
Striped skunk. Although Texas is home to five species of skunks, more than any other state, the common striped skunk is the most well-known. This skunk, with its distinctive split white stripe running down either side of its back, is found throughout Texas (and frequently in the spotlight). Striped skunks weigh from 1.5 to 13 pounds and are notably capable of squeezing through small spaces. As the weather warms, but before it gets too hot, the odds of encountering a striped skunk may increase. Breeding season begins in February or March and litters are born in early May. You may not hear the term as often today, but if a Texas old timer refers to a polecat, they’re talking about a skunk.
Western spotted skunk. As the name implies, this skunk favors the western part of the state, and it bears a more spotted pattern. Landmark Wildlife biologists have observed a western spotted skunk on two occasions in Mason County while doing deer surveys. Without getting too bogged down in scientific jargon, one of the biologists described the skunk as “that’s a cute little dude.” The spotted skunk is generally smaller than its striped cousin. In the Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine article, “The Big Stink,” spotted skunks are described as not your typical skunk. Not only are their markings different—”multiple, broken white stripes, plus spots on the rump and the head”—they are a bit more agile, “more like a skunk crossed with a squirrel. They bound all over the place, and they can climb trees pretty well.”
Eastern spotted skunk. Found in the eastern part of the state and up through the Panhandle, the eastern spotted skunk looks like its western cousin. Although once relatively common this skunk is now considered rare. According to the Texas Tech Natural Science Research Laboratory:
“Because these small skunks consume many insects, there is a concern that some of the population decline can be attributed to widespread use of chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides, with the deadly effect passed (and concentrated) up the food chain. This is a species that requires careful monitoring in the future.”
Hog-nosed skunk. About the same size as the striped skunk, but distinguished by its single broad, white stripe, the hog-nosed skunk is still considered common in parts of Texas, particularly the Hill Country, but has disappeared from other parts. According to Texas Tech Natural Science Research Laboratory, “there is a growing consensus among professional mammalogists that the overall population level of hog-nosed skunks in Texas has declined drastically during the past few decades.” The decline may be attributed to a range of reasons including the use of pesticide, reduced habitat, and even competition from feral pigs.
Hooded skunk. One of the skunks you (and your dog) are least like to encounter in Texas is the hooded skunk. Although it has been found in the Big Bend region, the hooded skunk is considered a Mexican species. It looks similar to the striped skunk but with softer, longer fur and a ruff of longer fur (its hood) on the upper neck.
Skunk spray and fair warning
Your dogs might not take any heed, but, with their stripes, skunks try to provide an early warning of what lies in store. A 2011 study of nearly 200 mammals found that “fierce fighters tend to be more boldly colored than more peaceable animals, which tend to use camouflage to stay safe.” Further, the animal’s colors indicate its method of defense. The skunk’s stripes, for example, direct attention to its anal glands while badgers, who use their powerful bite, have stripes by the mouth.
Skunks aren’t necessarily keen to spray as they have only a certain amount in reserves and may have to go several days without any while their body makes more, leaving them defenseless. So, along with the warning stripes, skunks may arch their backs, raise their tails, rear up on their hind feet, stomp their front feet, lurch forward, click their teeth, and even growl and spit—they’re really trying to not spray, folks! But curious dogs are going to do what curious dogs want to do and the stinky consequences will follow.
The noxious spray from a skunk’s anal glands can spew up to ten feet (some say fifteen feet) and the smell can last for days or even weeks. The spray can cause temporary blindness and skin irritation and the smell can be detected by humans even a mile away (anyone who has passed a dead skunk on the road, can confirm).
Along with the smell, another reason to steer clear of skunks in the wild is that, along with bats, they are the primary carriers of rabies in Texas. One of the characteristics of rabies is a loss of fear of humans, so take heed of particularly friendly skunks, no matter how cute they are.
The best skunk repellant
To help avoid interactions with your pups, make sure your environment isn’t particularly enticing to skunks—avoid leaving untended food outside and readily available (trash, compost, pet food, bird seed). And while there is all manner of skunk repellants available for purchase and to DIY, according to the Old Famer’s Almanac, light is probably the best skunk repellant. As skunks are nocturnal, they are “very sensitive to light. A bright light or a motion sensor flood light will scare skunks away.”
