The southern spotted skunk (Spilogale angustifrons) is a species of mammal in the skunk family, (Mephitidae). It ranges from Costa Rica to southern Mexico. At one time this skunk was considered to be a subspecies of the eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius).[3]
The southern spotted skunk grows to a length of 34 cm (13 in) with a tail length of 23 cm (9.1 in) and weighs between 0.5 and 1 kilogram (1.1 and 2.2 lb). It is conspicuously coloured in black and white and resembles the western spotted skunk in appearance. It has anal glands beneath the tail which secrete musk which can be sprayed with considerable accuracy at a predator.[4]
Distribution and habitatedit
The southern spotted skunk is native to Central America where its range includes Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Belize. It is present at altitudes of up to 300 metres (980 ft) in dry rocky areas with scrub and open woodland, and also in agricultural areas.[2]
Behavioursedit
The southern spotted skunk is nocturnal and secretive in its habits. It climbs trees but mainly searches for food on the ground for the small mammals, insects, birds, eggs, grain and fruit on which it feeds.[2]
Statusedit
The chief threats faced by the southern spotted skunk are human activities such as road construction, wildfires and agricultural monoculture. Though not very common, it has a large range and is presumed to have a large total population, and it is able to adapt to disturbance to its habitat. For these reasons, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed it as being of "least concern".[2]
Referencesedit
^Wozencraft, W. C. (2005). "Order Carnivora". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 623. ISBN978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
^ abcdHelgen, K.; Reid, F.; Timm, R. (2016). "Spilogale angustifrons". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T136636A45221538. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T136636A45221538.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
^Genoways, Hugh H.; Jones, J. Knox Jr. (1968). "Notes on Spotted Skunks (Genus Spilogale) from Western Mexico". Mammalogy Papers. University of Nebraska State Museum. Retrieved 2014-09-19.
^"Southern spotted skunk". The Animal Files. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
External linksedit
Animal rescue X: Southern Spotted Skunk
April 11, 2024
southern, spotted, skunk, southern, spotted, skunk, spilogale, angustifrons, species, mammal, skunk, family, mephitidae, ranges, from, costa, rica, southern, mexico, time, this, skunk, considered, subspecies, eastern, spotted, skunk, spilogale, putorius, yucat. The southern spotted skunk Spilogale angustifrons is a species of mammal in the skunk family Mephitidae It ranges from Costa Rica to southern Mexico At one time this skunk was considered to be a subspecies of the eastern spotted skunk Spilogale putorius 3 Southern spotted skunk 1 In Yucatan MexicoConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 2 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass MammaliaOrder CarnivoraFamily MephitidaeGenus SpilogaleSpecies S angustifronsBinomial nameSpilogale angustifronsHowell 1902 Southern spotted skunk range Contents 1 Description 2 Distribution and habitat 3 Behaviours 4 Status 5 References 6 External linksDescription editThe southern spotted skunk grows to a length of 34 cm 13 in with a tail length of 23 cm 9 1 in and weighs between 0 5 and 1 kilogram 1 1 and 2 2 lb It is conspicuously coloured in black and white and resembles the western spotted skunk in appearance It has anal glands beneath the tail which secrete musk which can be sprayed with considerable accuracy at a predator 4 Distribution and habitat editThe southern spotted skunk is native to Central America where its range includes Mexico Guatemala Honduras El Salvador Nicaragua Costa Rica and Belize It is present at altitudes of up to 300 metres 980 ft in dry rocky areas with scrub and open woodland and also in agricultural areas 2 Behaviours editThe southern spotted skunk is nocturnal and secretive in its habits It climbs trees but mainly searches for food on the ground for the small mammals insects birds eggs grain and fruit on which it feeds 2 Status editThe chief threats faced by the southern spotted skunk are human activities such as road construction wildfires and agricultural monoculture Though not very common it has a large range and is presumed to have a large total population and it is able to adapt to disturbance to its habitat For these reasons the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed it as being of least concern 2 References edit Wozencraft W C 2005 Order Carnivora In Wilson D E Reeder D M eds Mammal Species of the World A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference 3rd ed Johns Hopkins University Press p 623 ISBN 978 0 8018 8221 0 OCLC 62265494 a b c d Helgen K Reid F Timm R 2016 Spilogale angustifrons IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 e T136636A45221538 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2016 1 RLTS T136636A45221538 en Retrieved 12 November 2021 Genoways Hugh H Jones J Knox Jr 1968 Notes on Spotted Skunks Genus Spilogale from Western Mexico Mammalogy Papers University of Nebraska State Museum Retrieved 2014 09 19 Southern spotted skunk The Animal Files Retrieved 2014 09 18 External links editAnimal rescue X Southern Spotted Skunk Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Southern spotted skunk amp oldid 1217734001, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
