Skunks

Skunks are in a family all to themselves: Mephitidae. Until recently they were classified incorrectly as part of the weasel family, Mustelidae. There are 5 species of skunks found in the US. Mephitis mephitis, the striped skunk, is one of the most abundant found in Canada, the US, and into northern Mexico. Like the Opossum, they will eat just about anything: human garbage, vegetation, fruits, chickens and other birds, eggs, small mammals and road-kill. Skunks are considered nocturnal animals.