Creature Feature Encyclopedia: Mammalia

Striped Skunk Mephitis mephitis Size: to 2' (60 cm) Habitat: North American woods and pond edges

Stinky Surprise!
by R.E. Porter, Planet Scout Gazette Staff

When you are thinking about what animals you might see near a lake or a pond, you probably wouldn't think of a skunk," says Pepe Smelard, chairman of the Northwoods Skunk Study. "You might be surprised to learn that skunks often live at the edge of ponds, where they hunt duck and turtle eggs. If the eggs are too large, " he laughed, "they launch them back through their legs at something hard to crack them open. But seriously," he said, "they also eat berries, insects, vegetables, mice and voles."

~Salamander Rain: A Lake and Pond Journal © 2001