Collection: Striped skunk

The striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis ) is a small, well-known mammal in Quebec, famous for its formidable means of defense: an odorous secretion projected in case of threat. Easily recognizable by its black fur adorned with two white dorsal stripes, it frequents wooded areas, fields, suburbs and sometimes even urban environments. Omnivorous, it feeds on fruits, insects, small vertebrates and garbage. The skunk is mainly nocturnal, searching the ground in search of food. In winter, it enters a prolonged torpor but does not hibernate completely. Although it is often feared, it plays a useful ecological role by controlling harmful insect populations. It is also a familiar figure in Quebec's wildlife, sometimes the victim of road collisions. Learning to coexist with it, particularly by securing waste, promotes harmonious coexistence with this unloved but important animal.