Skunks of Texas

By Celeste Silling

Texas has five native species of skunk, more than any other state in the nation. These species are the Striped Skunk, Western Spotted Skunk, Eastern Spotted Skunk, Hog-nosed Skunk, and Hooded Skunk. The Striped Skunk is the most well-known species of the five, with a black body and two white stripes down its back. The Spotted Skunks are slightly smaller, with black bodies with white spots. The Hog-nosed Skunk has a longer snout and only one white stripe running down its back. And finally, the Hooded Skunk looks much like its Striped Skunk cousin, but with longer fur and a hood of long hair on its neck.

Skunks are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk. They are usually solitary and shelter in burrows during the daytime. Their diet consists of bo