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Spilogale putorius (Linnaeus, 1758)
Eastern Spotted Skunk
Federal Protection: No US federal protection
State Protection: No Georgia state protection
Global Rank: G4
State Rank: S2
Element Locations Tracked in Biotics: Yes
SWAP 2015 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): Yes
SWAP 2025 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): Yes
2025 SGCN Priority Tier: High Conservation Concern
Element Occurrences (EOs) in Georgia: 38
Habitat Summary for element in Georgia: Brushy, rocky, wooded habitats; avoids wetlands
The eastern spotted skunk is a squirrel-sized mammal with black pelage and 4 to 6 white broken stripes down its back. These broken stripes give it the appearance of being spotted. It has a bushy, white-tipped tail and long silky fur. This species typically has a white spot on the forehead. Total length is 250-688 mm (18-23 inches) and adults average 1-3 pounds. There are three subspecies of the eastern spotted skunk. The Appalachian variety (Spilogale putorius putorius) is one of the subspecies found in Georgia.
This species is easily confused with the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis). The striped skunk is much larger with an average body length of 21-28 inches and weight of 3-11 pounds. Striped skunks are most often confused with spotted skunks when they have a single white spot on the head. However, this pattern is almost never seen in spotted skunks.
The eastern spotted skunk is a terrestrial species that inhabits various environments such as mixed and hardwood woodlands, brushy areas, rocky canyons,outcrops in woodlands, shrublands, and prairies. This species may also occasionally use croplands, old fields and grasslands. When they are inactive or bearing young they occupy dens in burrows abandoned by other animals, under brush piles, in hollow logs or trees, rock crevices, under buildings, or other similar sites with protective barriers. They have a strong preference for early-successional habitat, young forest regeneration habitat, and tend to avoid open forest habitats due to lack of cover and vulnerability to predation.
Eastern spotted skunks are primarily insectivores eating beetles and grasshoppers, but they are also opportunistic omnivores and will eat almost anything they can find including small mammals, birds, frogs, plant material, snakes, and carrion.
Although they are not true hibernators, and can be active year-round, the eastern spotted skunk spends most of the winter inactive in dens. They are usually solitary and typically both sexes only interact during the breeding season to mate. Mating typically takes place in winter or early spring, with peak breeding months being March and early April. They can delay implantation for up to two weeks after breeding and the young are born in May-July. The breeding season for this species in Florida, and perhaps the southern Georgia population, is extended compared to other subspecies. Gestation usually lasts 45 to 60 days and the litter size ranges from 2-9, with an average of 5. They typically have one litter per year and they are weaned in about 8 weeks. The young become sexually mature in 9-10 months. The eastern spotted skunk is primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, although there is evidence to suggest the Florida population may be active diurnally. Its spotted pattern is thought to be camouflage during moonlit nights. A defense mechanism the species uses is a headstand maneuver representing defensive posturing; the skunk will move towards the threat, balance itself on its forelegs and turn its scent glands towards the opponent. This allows them to accurately aim and spray the opponent with musk.
Baited trail cameras are a common survey method. Contacting trappers, writing articles in newsletters and magazines, distributing posters throughout its range with requests for information, roadkill surveys, track plate boxes, active citizen-science reporting from private landowners, trail camera sightings, and live-trapping efforts are other methods that may increase detections. Monitoring success is increased in the cold winter months, likely due to male skunks looking for females to mate with during this time.
This species ranges from central Florida north to Pennsylvania along the Appalachian Mountains, and west to eastern Texas. It can be locally common where it occurs, with many gaps in its range.
Habitat degradation, fragmentation, and loss are a large threat to the species. It does not seem to do well with urbanization, and has some mortality linked to vehicle collisions. Historic trapping and harvesting for pelts is thought to have caused a large decline in present-day population size. Other potential threats include disease and human removal due to negative interactions with the species.
| Threat 1 | Threat 2 | Threat 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Threat | Residential & commercial development | Natural system modifications | Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases |
| Specific Threat | Housing & urban areas | Other ecosystem modifications | Problematic species/diseases of unknown origin |
Little is known about the extent of the current range of this species in the state. Sightings have been reported more recently in northeast Georgia in the Rabun County area, and western-middle Georgia in the Columbus area. The species range was historically much broader, covering much of the state outside of the coastal plain.
Habitat protection and management is key to the health of the species, especially through the use of appropriate and healthy fire and silviculture treatments on the landscape. Public outreach and education on the species is important for increased reporting of eastern spotted skunk sightings. Targeting ecoregions and determining abundance, distribution, and requirements of the skunk will encourage the promotion of the species as well. Any sightings should be reported to the GA Department of Natural Resources https://georgiawildlife.com/SpottedSkunkReporting.
Eastern Spotted Skunk Cooperative Study Group. 2018. Eastern Spotted Skunk Conservation Plan. Available https://easternspottedskunk.weebly.com/study-group.html.
Gompper, M. & Jachowski, D. 2016. Spilogale putorius. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T41636A45211474. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T41636A45211474.en. Downloaded on 17 July 2018.
NatureServe. 2018. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://explorer.natureserve.org.
Reid, F. A. 2006. Mammals of North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York.
Emily Ferrall
E. Ferrall, Sept. 2018: Original account
S. Krueger, March 2020: Updated for final review