general information AND Habitat

Five types of skunks live in Texas: The Western and Eastern Spotted Skunks, the Hooded Skunk, and the White-Backed Hog-Nosed Skunk. Although they differ in their coat patterns – some are spotted, and some are striped – all of them are strikingly black and white, and so are immediately recognizable as the stink bombs that they are. They are capable of spraying the widely known and feared skunk musk. Most skunks will give some warning before attempting to spray you or your pet, but once the warnings are over, they’ll get into a hand-stand and spray. If their musk enters your eyes, it can cause a lot more than an unpleasant smell but is capable of causing temporary blindness. Skunks are known to construct their dens underneath buildings. They can even threaten domestic livestock.