Home > Illustration > Wildlife > Mammals > North American > Striped Skunk

Striped Skunk

Striped Skunk line art illustration (click image to enlarge)

Striped Skunk full color illustration (click image to enlarge)

Artist's notes:

The Striped Skunk was completed on 5.5.2010. While I don't see a lot of these around, I know they live in our neighborhood. I just hope my dogs don't encounter them, as everyone knows about their powerful defense mechanism. I once saved one of these skunks while it was lost trying to cross a large road in Oakland. Using a blanket I guided it to the other side where it disappeared into the underbrush.

Information about the Striped Skunk:

The Striped Skunk is an omnivorous mammal found over most of North America, north of the Mexican border. It is roughly the size of an average house cat, weighing about 7-10 pounds and without the tail 13-18 inches. This small mammal is easily identified by it's white strip that runs from the tail to the head. When threatened the skunk can emit a foul odor to warn off the threat, as well as stomping it's feet. As a last resort the skunk will spray a strong-smelling fluid to defend itself. This spray can travel up to 12 feet. The skunk is mostly nocturnal, sleeping in a burrow most of the day emerging at night to hunt for food.