One of the common reasons why this question might be asked is when one is dealing with a skunk problem. Most wildlife and pest control companies would have stipulations and only accept removing animals that belong to the rodent family.
Are Skunks Part of the Rodent Family?
Skunks are actually not part of the rodent family. Skunks are mammals that belong in the family Mephitidae, and they are related to polecats and weasels, but they are most related to stink badgers.
Striped skunks are one of the most common species of skunks, and they can be found practically anywhere in the United States. These creatures have small and stumpy legs that are well-muscled, really long front claws for digging and burrowing, and a short, pointed snout. Skunks have black eyes and small heads, and they will have their signature white stripe running along their backs up to their long and pillow-like tails. The size of a skunk is usually around 50 to 80 cm long, and they weigh anywhere from .50 kg for spotted skunks to 8.2 kg for hog-nosed skunks.
Skunk History 101
Skunks once belonged to a subfamily of the weasel, but they are now under their own family which is Mephitidae. Mephitidae comes from the Latin word “mephitis”, which means “bad odor”, accurately placing the skunk and the stink badger to a family that they really belong to. The stink badger was also once placed in another family, the badger subfamily. However, they are now under their aptly-named family, where they belong.
The American hog-nosed skunk is the biggest species of skunks, and they can grow to over 30 inches in length. Like the name suggests, this species of skunk can commonly be found in North and South America. All skunk species are omnivores, but their favorite food is meat. They can also survive off plants, insects, worms, larvae, and other small creatures that they are able to catch. Their relatives, the stink badgers, are commonly found in Southeast Asia, namely the Philippines and Indonesia.
We have compiled a list of skunk species and their complete scientific names:
#1 Family: Mephitidae | Genus: Conepatus
1. American hog-nosed skunk: Conepatus leuconotus
2. Humboldt’s hog-nosed skunk: Conepatus humboldtii
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3. Molina’s hog-nosed skunk: Conepatus chinga
4. Striped hog-nosed skunk: Conepatus semistriatus
#2 Genus: Mephitis
5. Hooded skunk: Mephitis macroura
6. Striped skunk: Mephitis mephitis
#3 Genus: Mydaus
7. Javan or Sunda stink badger (Teledu): Mydaus javanensis
8. Palawan stink badger: Mydaus marchei
#4 Genus: Spilogale
9. Southern spotted skunk: Spilogale angustifrons
10. Western spotted skunk: Spilogale gracilis
11. Eastern spotted skunk: Spilogale putorius
12. Pygmy spotted skunk: Spilogale pygmaea
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