Western Spotted skunk
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The Western Spotted Skunk (Spilogale gracilis) is a spotted skunk found throughout the western United States, northern Mexico, and southwestern British Columbia. With a total length of 35–55 centimetres (14–22 in), the Western Spotted Skunk is smaller than the Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis). 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. [[]]EnlargeSkeleton of Spilogale gracilis.==[[[Western spotted skunk|edit]]] Taxonomy and etymology== The Western Spotted Skunk was first described by Clinton Hart Merriam in 1890;[[|[3]]] its specific name, gracilis, is derived from the Latin for "slender".[[|[4]]] 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.[[|[5]]]
Seven subspecies are generally recognized:[[|[1]]]
- S. g. amphiala (=amphialus) Dickey, 1929 - Channel Islands Spotted Skunk (Channel Islands of California)