![]() This mammal's body surface is physically covered with black and white fur and is known to reside in the Western hemisphere primarily. Skunk is an animal that belongs to the Mephitide family and is also commonly called the polecat. Prepared for the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Species Conservation Project, Accessed. American Hog-nosed Skunk (Conepatus leuconotus): A Technical Conservation Assessment. "Conepatus leuconotus (carnivora: mephitidae)". Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History ^ Western Hog-nosed Skunk Archived at the Wayback Machine.^ Eastern Hog-nosed Skunk (Conepatus leuconotus) Archived at the Wayback Machine.The situation is far different in Texas and Arizona, though the populations are high enough for the species to be legally harvested throughout the year and is designated as a "fur bearer" by the United States Forest Service. In New Mexico and Oklahoma, it was ranked as "Imperiled because of rarity (six to 20 occurrences or less than 3,000 individuals)", also as of 2006. In Colorado, for instance, it was ranked as "critically imperiled because of extreme rarity (five or fewer records of occurrence in the state or less than 1,000 individuals)" as of 2006. Globally, this species is of low concern for conservation efforts, but at the local level, it is considered threatened in some states. telmalestes) of Oklahoma and southeastern Texas, is now considered extinct by the IUCN. ![]() telmalestes ( Big Thicket hog-nosed skunk)† – Oklahoma and southeastern TexasĪlthough not threatened through most of its range, one subspecies, the Big Thicket hog-nosed skunk ( C. figginsi ( Furnace Canyon hog-nosed skunk) – Colorado leuconotus (eastern hog-nosed skunk) – Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua Three subspecies are currently recognized, although one may be extinct: Like all skunk species, it possesses powerful anal glands used to deter would-be attackers. While sometimes considered a pest by crop farmers due to their rooting habits, this is largely misplaced, as it generally prefers insects to agricultural plants. It is omnivorous, feeding primarily on insects and vegetation, though it will take small mammals and reptiles when available. Thorny brush and cactus are the predominant vegetation in the region of southern Texas where this species occurs. leuconotus occurs in mesquite-brushland, pastures, and native grassland, used exclusively for cattle ranching. It also has been found in pine–oak forest and in scrub and cacti. It has been collected in a variety of habitats in Mexico, including open desert-scrub and mesquite-grasslands, tropical areas, mountains, coastal plains, cornfields surrounded by brushland or adjacent to grassy plains and thickets of bull-horn acacia, thorn woodland, and riparian forests, characterized by live-oaks, pecans, sycamores, and Texas persimmons and an understory of briars, grasses, and weeds. This species occurs in canyons, stream sides, and rocky terrain. The litter size is one to five young, although two to four are most common. Half-grown young have been observed in late July and mid-August, and by late August young begin to disperse. Typically, gestation lasts about 60 days. leuconotus breeds from late February through early March most adult females are pregnant by the end of March. ![]() This skunk species also is a capable climber, although not as agile as the spotted skunks of the genus Spilogale. Their sense of smell is acute, and the nose is used in locating and capturing buried prey. The nostrils are located ventrally and open downward. The rectangular-shaped scapula, strong forearms, and shape of the humeri of C. The American hog-nosed skunk is adapted for digging, and resembles badgers rather than other species of skunks in this respect. Males of this species average about 10% larger than females. The striped skunk can broadly overlap in size with this species, but in comparison the striped, has a shorter head-and-body length and a longer tail than the hog-nosed skunk. Its upper body is powerfully built, and the fore claws are very long. Its hind feet are broad and large with soles that are naked for about one-half their length. ![]() The American hog-nosed skunk has stocky legs and plantigrade feet (the entire sole of the foot touches the ground). A hog-nosed skunk skeleton on exhibit at the Museum of Osteology, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ![]()
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