Hog-nosed Skunk
Conepatus mesoleucus
OTHER
NAMES
Rooter Skunk
Zorrillo Nariz de Puerco
CLASSIFICATION
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum
Vertebrata
Class
Mammalia
Subclass
Theria
Suborder
Fissipedia
Order
Carnivora
Family Mustelidae
Genus
Conepatus
Species
mesoleucus
Although five different species of hog-nosed skunk have been identified, some believe that they are conspecific.
DESCRIPTION
The hog-nosed skunk gets its name from its long, naked snout and broad nose pad. The top of its head, back and tail are white and lower portions are black, and the five species in this genus have the coarsest fur of all skunks. Weighing between 1.1 and 2.7 kg, the average length (including the tail) is 577 mm for males and 248 mm for females. Large claws on the forelimbs are adapted for digging.
RANGE
Populations of hog-nosed skunks can be found from Southeast Colorado and Southern Arizona throughout much of New Mexico and Southern Texas and south to Nicaragua.
HABITAT
Found in open and wooded areas, hog-nosed skunks tend to avoid dense forests. They make their dens in rocky places, hollow logs, or burrows made by other animals.
DIET
Omnivorous, the hog-nosed skunk eats differently according to the season. They mainly eat insects and grubs but also eat fruit, small mammals, snakes and carrion. Because rattlesnakes react to skunk musk with an alarm reaction, it is believed that skunks may feed extensively on rattlesnakes.
LIFESTYLE
In search of food the rooter skunk can turn over large areas of earth with its bare nose and front claws as it searches for food. These skunks are solitary although they occupy overlapping territories.
Like all skunks Conepatus is slow moving, doesn’t climb and defends itself by expelling musk from anal scent glands.
A captive hog-nosed skunk lived 8 years and 8 months at the San Diego Zoo.
REPRODUCTION
Breeding may occur as early as January, but is commonly in early spring. Delayed implantation does occur and gestation continues about 42 days after implantation. Two to five young are born in spring. The young are weaned by August and reach sexual maturity at 10 to 11 months.
STATUS
Despite the inferior quality of the pelt, it is still sometimes used for capes or blankets, and the meat is believed to have curative properties. One subspecies from Texas, C. mesoleucus telmalestes, has been declared extinct by the IUCN. C. humboldti is listed on Appendix 2 of CITES, and CITES records from the 1970's report that 155,000 Conepatus skins valued at $8 were exported annually.
LINKS
Coexisting
with Wild Skunks
New
Mexico Game and Fish, Common Hog-nosed Skunk
Page created by Linda Buie, Pensacola Junior College Zoo Tech Student, Fall 2003.