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•
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Large canines
No diastema
Claws not retractile
Mustelid glands
Short legs
Order Carnivora
Family Mustelidae
Taxidea taxus
Mustela nivalis
Identification: Tail < 33%
body length and lacks
well-defined black tip;
dorsal pelage brown in
summer, white in winter;
venter white; molting
animals spotted (TL 170215 mm; Tail 25-45)
Distribution: Statewide
Habitat: Grassy areas; open
woodlands
Mustela nivalis
Diet: Primarily mice; some
birds, large invertebrates;
consume 33-100% of
body weight daily
Reproduction: At least 2
litters of 1-6 annually
Conservation: Uncommon
Mustela erminea
Identification: Tail < 44% body
length with black tip; dorsal
pelage brown in summer,
white in winter; venter and
inside of legs white to yellow
(TL 219-343 mm; Tail 60-95)
Distribution: Northern half of IA
Habitat: Open areas near woody
cover; usually near water
Mustela erminea
Diet: Primarily mice; some
birds, invertebrates;
consume 33-100% of
body weight daily
Reproduction: 1 litter of 413 annually
Conservation: Uncommon;
possibly increasing and
expanding range south
Mustela frenata
Identification: Tail > 44%
body length with black
tip; dorsal pelage brown in
summer, white in winter;
venter white but inside of
legs brown in summer (TL
350-430 mm; Tail 110140)
Distribution: Statewide
Habitat: Brushy, woody
areas; usually near water
Mustela frenata
Diet: Primarily small
mammals
Reproduction: 1 litter of 4-9
annually
Conservation: Uncommon,
possibly declining
Mephitis mephitis
Striped skunk
Erica Hartman
http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/mpages/striped_skunk.htm
Mephitis mephitis
Erica Hartman
Identification:
Black fur with dorsal
white stripes, form a
“v” shape at nape of
neck
Bushy tail
Amount of white or
black on individuals are
variable
http://www.municipiodenogales.org/zorrillo.htm
Striped skunk
Distribution:
statewide
Habitat:
woodlands, fields,
agricultural areas,
human
neighborhoods
http://www.redpath-museum.mcgill.ca/Qbp_fr/mammiferes/specpages/mouffetterayee.htm
Striped skunk
Diet:
omnivorous
Reproduction:
spring litters of 4 to
11 young
Conservation status:
trapping season is
Nov. 6 to Jan. 31
there is no bag limit
http://www.ci.monrovia.ca.us/city_hall/public_works/canyon_park/striped_skunk.htm
Striped skunk
Fun facts:
nocturnal hunter
pelts go for under $2
before they spray will
first shake their head
“no”, stomp their paws
second, then they will
finally spray
http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/dnr/fur/tracks/skntracks.html
References: Mephitis
mephitis
• Iowa DNR website. November 2, 2004
http://www.iowadnr.com/wildlife/files/hunting.html
• Jones, J.K. and E.C. Birney. 1988. Handbook of
mammals of the north-central states. University
of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis. 268 pp.
• Kays, R.W. and D.E. Wilson. 2002. Mammals of
North America. Princeton University Press.
Princeton, New Jersey. 182 pp.
Roger Barbour
Eastern Spotted Skunk
Spilogale putorius
Katrina Cook
Physical ID:
Spilogale putorius
The eastern spotted skunk is the smaller of the two
skunks occurring in Iowa.
It is black with a white spot on the forehead, one
white spot under each ear, and four to six broken
white stripes along the neck, back, and sides.
The fur is long and silky.
White spots or patches are present on the rump,
and the bushy black tail usually has a broad, white
tip.
The front feet possess sharp, recurved claws that
are twice
as long as toes on the hind feet.
http://www.wildflorida.org/critters/skunks.asp
Let’s Talk Size
Spilogale putorius
Adult total length: 17 - 23 in.
Tail: 6 - 8 in.
Hind foot: 1 5/8 - 2 1/8 in.
Weight: 1 - 3 lbs.
The smallest of skunks
The spotted skunk, also
known as the hydrophobia cat
or the civet cat, is the size of a
small domestic cat, about half
the size of a striped skunk.
www.animals-online.be/predators/marterachtigen/fotos/
Distribution
Spilogale putorius
The eastern spotted skunk
ranges from northeastern
Mexico through the Great
Plains to the Canadian
border and throughout the
southeastern United States
north to Pennsylvania.
Spotted skunks have a
home range of about 150
acres.
http://www.ksu.edu/organismic/images/eastern_spotted_skunk1.jpg
Status
Spilogale putorius
Special Protection Status
Rangewide: None.
Statewide, endangered
Status: Uncommon to Rare, Native Resident
By Doug Alderson
Illustrated by Lizabeth West
Habitat
Spilogale putorius
Spotted skunks may
inhabit forested and
brushy areas as well as
agricultural regions.
They are often found
in crevices in cliffs
and in rock slides.
http://www.ksu.edu/organismic/images/eastern_spotted_skunk1.jpg
Dens
Spilogale putorius
The like to den in hollow trees, if they can
find one available. Dens may be in
underground burrows, beneath farm
buildings, in hollow logs, in rock crevices,
lumber slab piles, brush piles, and the
burrows of other animals.
They are more social than other skunks.
Several may share a den over the winter.
Diet
Spilogale putorius
The eastern spotted skunk is omnivorous.
The spotted skunk is the most carnivorous
of all skunks. It feeds primarily on small
mammals, fruits, insects, birds, lizards,
snakes, rats, mice, grapes, corn, grubs, and
carrion.
Reproduction
Spilogale
putorius
Litters of two to six young are born in a nest of grass or hay
within the den during May or June.
Delayed implantation occurs and greatly prolongs gestation.
The fertilized egg starts its development as it travels down the
oviduct. Reaching the uterus, it then becomes inactive, the
metabolic rate falls, and cell division ceases. The unimplanted
egg is stored for ten to eleven months before implantation and
normal development resumes.
Newborn skunks have their eyes and ears closed and are
covered with fine hair that does not show the adult color
pattern. The eyes open between 30 and 32 days, and the first
solid food is eaten at about 42 days of age. Weaning takes
place at about eight weeks of age, and the young may reach
their full growth in slightly more than three months.
Breeding occurs at one year.
Daily Activity?
Spilogale putorius
The Eastern spotted
skunk is nocturnal and
are active all year.
Rarely comes out
while it is light in the
evening, and is back in
the den before sunup
http://www.wildflorida.org/critters/skunks.asp
Life Expectancy
Spilogale putorius
Although they have excellent senses of smell and
hearing—vital attributes in a nocturnal
carnivore—they have poor vision. They cannot see
objects more than about 3 m away with any
clarity, which makes them very vulnerable to road
traffic. Roughly half of all skunk deaths are caused
by humans, as roadkill, or as a result of shooting
and poisoning.
They are short-lived animals: fewer than 10%
survive for longer than three years.
Predation
Spilogale putorius
Owls are the primary predator of skunks.
Owls can strike silently from above and
carry off a young skunk before the parent
can use its defensive spray.
Climbers
Spilogale putorius
Excellent climber, unlike the striped skunk,
it can climb trees with ease, and even climb
down head first
Spotted skunks are good climbers and
will climb trees to escape from predators.
They are faster and more agile than
striped skunks
Tracks
Spilogale putorius
• Spotted skunk tracks show five toes on
each foot, with claw marks. The heel pad
of the hind print is distinctively lobed.

http://www.bear-tracker.com/spskunk.html
To spray or not to spray
Spilogale putorius
When frightened or angered,
the eastern spotted skunk
may engage in several
unique behaviors that may
serve as either a bluff or a
warning prior to the
discharge of the scent. It
may stomp or pat its front
feet in rapid succession on
the floor or ground. It can
also do a "handstand" on its
front feet. The skunk upends
itself, holds its tail in the air,
and may walk up to several
yards in this manner.
sue arnold
Spraying Behavior
Spilogale
putorius
The spotted skunk differs
on how
it sprays, it will do a
handstand on its forefeet and spray over its head
They have two glands, on either side of the anus, that produce
a mixture of sulphur-containing chemicals that has a highly
offensive smell. Muscles located next to the scent glands allow
them to shoot out the liquid through nipples, that are hidden
when the tail is down and exposed when the tail is raised.
The skunk has voluntary control over these scent glands and
can aim behind, to either side, or to the front by changing the
direction of aim of the nipples.
The spray can reach to a distance of about 2m with good
accuracy. The smell aside, it can cause irritation and even
temporary blindness, and is sufficiently powerful to be
detected by even an insensitive human nose anywhere up to a
km downwind.
Removing the Smell
Spilogale putorius
The following Skunk Smell Remover Formula is
effective in removing skunk smell from sprayed victims.
1 U.S. Quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide.
1/4 Cup baking soda.
1 teaspoon liquid soap.
Directions: Mix together at time of usage, and apply
foaming mixture to affected areas.
How it works: The oxygen molecules emitted by the
hydrogen peroxide and baking soda reaction deactivates
the smell molecules by binding to them and rendering them
inert.
Reference
Spilogale putorius
http://www.discoverlife.org/nh/tx/Vertebrata/Mam
malia/Mephitidae/Spilogale/putorius/ Visited on
11/2/04
http://www.iowadnr.com/other/files/ Visited on
11/2/04
http://www.wildliferescueleague.org/pdf/skunk.pd
f Visited on 11/2/04
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skunk Visited on
11/2/04
THE BADGER
(Taxidea taxus )
By: Brad Froeschle
Identification
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Badgers can weigh between 824lbs and be as long as 35inches.
The body is flattened, and the legs
are short and stocky.
Badgers have a gray to reddish
color on its back and it’s face is
white with black patches. Also a
white stripe extends down it’s back
to it’s shoulders.
The front feet are partially webbed
with long claws, while the hind feet
are like shovels.
Dental Count: 3/3;1/1;2-4/2-4;1/1
Distribution
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•
The North American Badger
(Taxidea taxus) ranges from the
southern parts of Alberta,
Saskatchewan and Manitoba in
Canada, down through Montana,
Wyoming, North and South
Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado,
Kansas, Iowa and Illinois in the
US.
In Iowa the badger is commonly
found throughout the state.
Habitat
• Badgers are found mainly in
dry open country areas.
• Usually they are located in
plains, tundra, forest,
shrubby, and grassland areas.
• They require dry, loose soils
for burrowing and shelter.
Diet
•
•
•
•
The badger eats small mammals, birds,
reptiles and arthropods. Unlike most
carnivores, it does not hunt for most of
its food but catches it by digging it out
of the ground.
Badgers usually kill their prey with
bites to the thoracic region of it’s prey.
Badgers are store up food throughout
the spring, summer, and fall months so
that they can have enough energy while
they hibernate in the winter.
Badgers will wake up during the
sleeping period to eat, but then return to
sleeping.
Reproduction
• Mating in badgers occurs in
early autumn, but the fertilized
egg suspended in the uterus
until early December where it
then continues to develop for
only 6 weeks.
• Badgers have a litter between 15.
• Females are sexually mature at
4 months while males aren’t
until their second year.
Conservation Status
(Economic Value)
• Badgers are pretty common
throughout Iowa, and they
are not on the endangered
list.
• Badgers have a limited
trapping season due to their
being a somewhat
abundance.
• An economic value for
humans is the badgers pelt.
Other
• Badgers have a multiple
number of burrows. Each one
is about 10 meters long with an
enlarged sleeping chamber.
• Badgers switch burrows about
once a month.
• Badger holes are a hazard to
cattle and horses.
References
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Nowak, Ronald. 1991. Walker's Mammals of the World. John Hopkins
University Press, Baltimore and London.
Iowa Association of Naturalists. Iowa mammals.
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/IAN601.pdf. Oct. 2004.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Iowa’s threatened and endangered
species. http://www.state.ia.us/dnr/organiza/ppd/tespecies.htm. Oct. 2004.
National Research Council of Canada. Killing technique of North American
badgers preying on Richardson's ground squirrels. http://pubs.nrccnrc.gc.ca/cgi-bin/rp/rp2_abst_e?cjz_z01-169_79_ns_nf_cjz. Oct. 2004.
National Park Labs. Wildlife Field Guide.
http://www.nps.gov/goga/parklabs/library/wildlifeguide/mammals/northa
merican_badger.htm. Oct. 2004.
Mustela vison
Photo by Steven Holt
Mustela vison
distribution
Map courtesy of MO DOC
Mustela vison
description
• Large weasel-like
• Uniformly dark
brown
• White blotches on
chin
• Pelage long and
glossy
• TL:570-680; T:185210; HF:60-75;
E:20-27
• Weight 1-1.7 kg
Photo by Steven Holt
Mustela vison
habitat
• Equally at home on land and
water
• Only heavily wooded upland
habitats avoided
• Lakes, ponds, impoundments,
streams, rivers, and marshes
preferred
• Dens located near water
• Usually abandoned burrows of
other mammals
• Linear home ranges, females
20-50 acres, males much larger
Photo by Steven Holt
Mustela vison
food habits
• Muskrats, voles, mice,
cottontails, staple
items
• Frogs, snakes,
squirrels, shrews
• Rarely cache food
Photo by Steven Holt
Mustela vison
reproduction
• Breeding takes place
in middle to late
winter
• Gestation begins after
short period of delayed
implantation
• Litter 1-10 born in
April-May
Mustela vison
conservation
• Humans only enemy
• Pelt prices $25-50
• Many mink farms
• Have a healthy
population
Photos courtesy of efurs.com
Mustela vison
references
• Errington, P.L. 1943. An analysis of mink predation upon
muskrats in northcentral United States. Res, Bull Agric.
Exp. Sta., Iowa State Coll., 320:797-924
• Jones, J. Knoox, Jr. and E. C. Birney. 1988. Handbook of Mammals
of the North-central states. University of Minnesota Press,
Minneapolis. 346 pp. ISBN 08166-1420-2
• Kays, Roland and D. E. Wilson. 2002. Mammals of North America.
Princeton University Press, Princeton, New
Jersey. 240 pp.
ISBN 0-691-07012-1
• Willner, G.R.,G.A. F., E.E. Z., and J.A. Chapman.
1980.
Mustela vison. Mamm. Species, 141:1-8
• http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov
River Otter
(Lutra canadensis)
By: Brock Winkelbauer
River Otter
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(Lutra canadensis)
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
http://www.theragens.com/photos/Sea_Otter_Photos.htm
River Otter
(Lutra canadensis)
Identification
• Total Length: 76-152 cm
• Tail Length: 30-40% total
body length
• Weighs: 6.5 - 18 kg
• Females usually 25%
smaller than males
• Torpedo shaped body
• Fur is dark to reddish
brown on back and light
brown to tan on belly
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/ohiopix/otters/default.htm
River Otter
(Lutra canadensis)
Distribution
• Widespread in Canada and
midwestern/southwestern United States
• Lower numbers elsewhere
• Been seen in 90 of 99 Iowa counties
• Reproduced in 75 of the 99 counties
River Otter
(Lutra canadensis)
Habitat and Home
• Rivers, Lakes and Streams key habitats
• Pools and wetlands created by beavers are very
common place their or their dens
• Abandoned beaver dens are favorites
– Not able to dig their own burrows
• Males home range often up to 40-50 miles in
length, females only range 3-10 miles
River Otter
(Lutra canadensis)
Diet
• Fish is main food source
• Also eat turtles, birds, snakes and clams
• Most of hunting is done underwater and eaten
while in water
• Large prey is usually taken to shore to eat
River Otter
(Lutra canadensis)
Reproduction
• Breeding takes place from Jan. – April
• Fertilized eggs remain dormant 285-365 days
then begin to develop
• Pups born 60-65 days later b/w Jan-May
• Most litters have 2-4 pups
• Young weaned by 4 months of age
• Sexually mature around 2 years of age
River Otter
(Lutra canadensis)
Conservation Status & Importance
• Protecting beaver
populations important in the
River Otter’s future
• Conserving wetlands and
woodlands next to water
sources very important
• No real predators except for
man
• Were abundant in Iowa
during European settlement,
but now uncommon
http://www.bear-tracker.com/otterphotos.htm
http://www.iowadnr.com/wildlife/pdfs/2001_river_otter.pdf
River Otter
(Lutra canadensis)
Misc. Info
• They’re real active energetic
aquatic animals
– Sliding down slopes, belly
flopping, etc. whenever the
conditions permit them
• Able to swim up to 7 mph
• Can stay underwater for up
to 4 minutes
• Close ears and nostrils to
keep water out
• Live up to 10 years in wild
http://www.bear-tracker.com/otterphotos.htm
River Otter
(Lutra canadensis)
References
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Beheler, Amanda S., Jennifer A.F., Lisa M.M., Thomas S.S., Olin E.R.Jr.
Development of polymorphic micro satellite loci for North American river otters
(Lontra canadensis) and amplification in related mustelids. March 2004.
Molecular Ecology Notes. 4: 56-58.
Reed-Smith, Janice. North American River Otter: Husbandry Notebook. John Ball
Zoological Garden 1995.
http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/furbear/rvrotter.php
http://www.iowadnr.com/wildlife/pdfs/2001_river_otter.pdf
http://www.luddist.com/otter.htm
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/kids/creature_feature/0006/otters2.html
http://www.nature.ca/notebooks/english/rivotter.htm
http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/dnr/fur/species/otter.html
http://www.nature.ca/notebooks/english/rivotter.htm