Western Spotted Skunk

Taxobox
name = Western Spotted Skunk


regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Carnivora
familia = Mephitidae
genus = "Spilogale"
species = "S. gracilis"
binomial = "Spilogale gracilis"
binomial_authority=(Merriam, 1890)

The Western Spotted Skunk ("Spilogale gracilis") is a spotted skunk found throughout the western United States, northern Mexico, and southwestern British Columbia. The Western Spotted Skunk is smaller than the striped skunk. Their total length is usually 35-55cm. Their habitat is mixed woodlands, open areas, and farmlands. They ascend to scare predators. They spray by standing on their forelegs and raising their hindlegs and tail in the air.

Taxonomy and etymology

The Western Spotted Skunk was first described by Clinton Hart Merriam in 1890;cite web|url=http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=552466|author=ITIS Report|title=ITIS Standard Report: Spilogale gracilis"|accessmonthday=December 8|accessyear=2007|language=English] its specific name, "gracilis", is derived from the Latin for "slender".Verts, Carraway & Kinlaw. (2001) [http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/VHAYSSEN/msi/pdf/674_Spilogale_gracilis.pdf Mammalian Species: Spilogale gracilis] . American Society of Mammalogists, 674: 1-10.] Although it was thought for years to be conspecific with the Eastern Spotted Skunk ("S. putorius"), the presence of delayed implantation in the Western Spotted Skunk clearly sets it apart.cite web|url=http://www.mnh.si.edu/mna/image_info.cfm?species_id=359|author=Smithsonian: National Museum of Natural History|title=North American Mammals: Spilogale gracilis"|accessmonthday=December 8|accessyear=2007|language=English]

Seven subspecies are generally recognized:MSW3 Wozencraft|pages=623]
*"S. g. amphiala" (="amphialus") (Dickey, 1929)
*"S. g. gracilis" (Merriam, 1890)
*"S. g. latifrons" (Merriam, 1890)
*"S. g. leucoparia" (Merriam, 1890)
*"S. g. lucasana" (Merriam, 1890)
*"S. g. martirensis" (Elliot, 1903)
*"S. g. phenax" (Merriam, 1890)

References