Stats

Lifespan

3-10 yrs

Size

Small

Diet

Omnivore

Activity

Nocturnal

Social

Solitary

Biome

Temperate grassland

Range

North America

Movement

Walking

Breeding

Live Birth

Defense

Warning Colors

Status

Common

About

A black-and-white nocturnal omnivore famous for the pungent sulfurous spray it fires from twin anal glands when threatened. The stripe pattern is unique to each individual, like a fingerprint, and the spray can be aimed accurately up to about three meters.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   newborn

   A live-born newborn nurses on its mother's milk and depends on her for warmth and protection.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   A weaned juvenile begins eating solid food and learning from its parents or group.
3. 3.
   adult

   Fully grown at adult size.

Learn more

• View on iNaturalist →
• Watch on YouTube →

Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Carnivora

Family

Mephitidae

Genus

Mephitis

Species

Mephitis mephitis