Striped Skunk

Many times, animals are heard before they are seen. Many bird and amphibian observations begin with the hearing of the animal before it is actually seen.

But there is one animal who is more often smelled before it is seen, and it is a common denizen of Texas. The Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) can be observed in every county of this state, and it appears that it is no more prevalent in any particular eco-region more than another.

Outside of Texas it occurs in every state of the U.S. and can be seen in all habitats other than the top of the Rocky Mountains.