The spotted skunks are three species of Skunk in the genus Spilogale.
The Eastern Spotted Skunk (Spilogale putorius) is smaller and more weasel-like than the striped skunk. Both species are nocturnal and crepuscular. The spotted skunks are faster and more agile than the striped skunks and they have better pelts. For the last 100 years, the Eastern Spotted Skunk was bred for its fine silky fur. The furs and pelts were sold as "Marten Fur."
Jerry Dragoo, in a 1997 paper co-authored by Rodney L. Honeycutt of Texas, named the new family classification Mephitidae after mephitis, the Latin word for a foul gas or smell.
The spotted skunks weigh between 1 and 3 pounds. They are black with a white spot on the forehead and interrupted white stripes over their backs and sides that give the appearance of spots.
They are often incorrectly called a "civet cat"—a member of the genet family (Viverridae) with a long banded tail similar to a raccoon's—the two are not closely related.
The Eastern Spotted Skunk (Spilogale putorius) is smaller and more weasel-like than the striped skunk. Both species are nocturnal and crepuscular. The spotted skunks are faster and more agile than the striped skunks and they have better pelts. For the last 100 years, the Eastern Spotted Skunk was bred for its fine silky fur. The furs and pelts were sold as "Marten Fur."
Jerry Dragoo, in a 1997 paper co-authored by Rodney L. Honeycutt of Texas, named the new family classification Mephitidae after mephitis, the Latin word for a foul gas or smell.
The spotted skunks weigh between 1 and 3 pounds. They are black with a white spot on the forehead and interrupted white stripes over their backs and sides that give the appearance of spots.
They are often incorrectly called a "civet cat"—a member of the genet family (Viverridae) with a long banded tail similar to a raccoon's—the two are not closely related.
No comments:
Post a Comment