The pygmy spotted skunk, Spilogale pygmaea, is a small mammal of the skunk family Mephitidae that is endemic to Mexico, where it lives along the Pacific coast in woodlands and thickets on rocky soil, avoiding dense forest and swamps. It digs burrows for dens but can take refuge in trees. Its body is 115 to 345 millimetres long with a tail of 70 to 120 millimetres, and its black coat bears white spots on the forehead and two to six white stripes on the back and flanks that break into spots, usually with a white tail tip. It is strictly nocturnal and omnivorous, though the most carnivorous skunk of the family, and the mating season falls in September or October with implantation of the embryo delayed until March or April. The IUCN lists it as vulnerable after a decline of up to 30 percent over three generations linked to habitat loss in the threatened tropical dry forest of western Mexico.
Facts
Classification
Population Trend System (Realm) ThreatsResidential and Commercial Development 3 ThreatsInvasive and Other Problematic Species, Genes and Diseases 3 Relationship to People Relationship to People Living or Extinct Scientific Name Conservation Status Body Size Band Activity Pattern Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Pygmy spotted skunk (Wikipedia)
In Biome
Source Spotted skunk (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Pygmy spotted skunk (Wikipedia)Lead, rangeQuote, Lead, range
It is endemic to Mexico.
Sources
1. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Spilogale pygmaea (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyConservation Status
IUCN Red List Vulnerable
Food Habits
Food Habits Omnivore.
Behavior
The little spotted skunk is strictly nocturnal.
Habitat
Pygmy Spotted Skunks inhabit wooded or brushy habitats with rocky soil.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
They were trapped for their pelts to some degree.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive, relationship to people
Pygmy Spotted Skunks feeds on insects and other rodent pests, aiding agriculture.
Physical Description
Pygmy spotted skunks reach a length of 115-345 mm with a tail of 70-120 mm.
View the Source 2. Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014): EltonTraits 1.0 mammal diet data
Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014)Row: spilogale pygmaea, Diet-Inv 80 percent (invertebrates)Quote, Row: spilogale pygmaea, Diet-Inv 80 percent (invertebrates)
5061 Spilogale pygmaea Mephitidae 80 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ref_110 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_1 ABC 235 Ref_117 1
3. Pygmy spotted skunk (Wikipedia)
Lead, range
It is endemic to Mexico.
Conservation
due to the progressive reduction of its population, up to 30% over three generations
Conservation, threats
is threatened as a result of the activities related to tourism development
Conservation, threats (2)
but dogs and cats pose a threat
Child Taxon Of: Spilogale, Lead, scientific name
The pygmy spotted skunk (Spilogale pygmaea) is a species of mammal in the family Mephitidae.
In Group: Mustelids, Procyonids And Other Carnivorans, Lead, family
is a species of mammal in the family Mephitidae
View the Source4. iNaturalist: Spilogale pygmaea (iNaturalist taxa)
iNaturalistTaxon record, extinct flag (false)Quote, Taxon record, extinct flag (false)
"extinct": false
5. Global Biodiversity Information Facility: Spilogale pygmaea
Global Biodiversity Information FacilitySpecies record, canonical nameQuote, Species record, canonical name
"canonicalName": "Spilogale pygmaea"
Spotted skunk (Wikipedia)
In Biome: Tropical Dry Forest, Conservation, pygmy spotted skunkQuote, In Biome: Tropical Dry Forest, Conservation, pygmy spotted skunk
The tropical dry forest of western Mexico, where these skunks live
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