Species · GBIF taxon 2434878
American Hog-nosed Skunk
Conepatus leuconotusAlso known as Rooter Skunk, Badger Skunk, White-backed Hog-nosed Skunk, Texas Hog-nosed Skunk
American hog-nosed skunks are robust, heavy-bodied mammals easily recognized by their long, hairless snout used for plowing through soil in search of buried insects. Unlike other skunks, they sport a single broad band of white fur running from the crown of the head down the entire back and tail. They are specialized diggers, using powerful claws to unearth grubs and beetles in rocky foothills and brushy canyons.
NocturnalSolitaryDigging
Licensed referenceen:Louis Agassiz Fuertes. / Public domain · cc0
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Beetle Larvae
- Grubs
- Grasshoppers
Predators
- Great Horned Owl
- Coyote
- Mountain Lion
ThreatsHabitat loss, vehicle collisions, and localized pest control trapping
HabitatsRocky foothills, brushlands, canyons, and open woodlands
Life span3 to 6 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- SpeciesConepatus leuconotus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskModerate
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is moderate
- Can spray a foul-smelling musk and carry rabies; observe from a safe distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Equipped with powerful anal glands that spray a highly persistent, noxious musk, and can transmit rabies through bites.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Distinguished by a single, broad white stripe running from the head to the tail, and a long, naked snout.
- What to do
- Never corner or attempt to handle; back away slowly if the animal stomps its feet or lifts its tail.
Responsible observation
- Look for diggings: Search for cone-shaped holes in loose soil where they have rooted for grubs.
- Watch for warning signs: If they stomp their front feet or raise their tail, back away immediately.
- Keep dogs leashed: Curious pets are the most common victims of their potent defensive spray.
Close Relative Wallace Keck / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative NPS / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative Dmitrij Rodionov, DR / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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