The common striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is a familiar North American mammal known for its distinctive black and white markings and defense mechanism. These animals, which range from southern Canada to northern Mexico, have a highly seasonal reproductive cycle that dictates the timing of new litters. A female skunk typically reproduces once a year, with the entire process—from courtship to the independence of the young—occurring within a predictable annual framework.
The Skunk Reproductive Calendar
The mating season for the striped skunk begins in late winter, generally running from mid-February through mid-March. Males become highly active, covering significant distances nightly in their search for receptive females. A single male often mates with several females during the approximately 35-day breeding window.
After successful mating, the female enters a gestation period lasting between 59 and 77 days. This variation is often due to delayed implantation, where the fertilized egg does not immediately implant in the uterine wall. This delay ensures that the birth occurs at a favorable time of year. The peak birthing season usually takes place from late April to early June, allowing the young to develop during the warmer months.
Litter Size and Variation
On average, a striped skunk gives birth to a litter containing four to seven young, though five or six is commonly reported. The total range for litter size is broad, with records showing as few as two and as many as ten kits born at one time.
Several factors influence the final number of young born. First-time mothers may produce smaller litters than older females. The health and body condition of the mother, particularly the fat reserves she has maintained through the winter, also play a role in reproductive success. If a female loses her initial litter, she may sometimes enter a second estrous cycle in May, potentially resulting in a later birth.
Development of Skunk Kits
Skunk newborns, called kits, are born sparsely furred, blind, and deaf, weighing about one ounce each. Their characteristic black and white stripe pattern is already visible at birth. The kits are entirely dependent on their mother for warmth, nourishment, and protection within the den.
Around three weeks of age, the kits’ eyes and ears open, allowing them to perceive their surroundings. By about four weeks, they develop the physical capability to discharge musk, though they do not gain full control immediately. The young begin to wean and eat solid food between six and ten weeks after birth.
The young skunks start taking short excursions outside the den with their mother when they are around eight weeks old. They learn to forage and hunt by following her single-file, a behavior often observed in late spring and early summer. While the young may remain with the mother into the fall, they typically disperse and become fully independent around two to three months of age.