spotted skunk

American  

noun

1. either of two small, nocturnal skunks of the genus Spilogale, distinguished by a white forehead patch and a luxuriant coat of broken stripes and spots, including S. putorius of temperate North America and S. pygmaea of Mexico.

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Etymology

Origin of spotted skunk

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Most scientists these days agree that there are four spotted skunk species, though earlier research pointed to as few as two species or as many as 14.

From New York Times • Sep. 1, 2021

The researchers also found that most of the spotted skunk species could be divided into two groups, or clades, three of which hailed from the east and three from the west.

From New York Times • Sep. 1, 2021

Now that you’ve met the spotted skunk, here’s another important fact: There are more than one species, and parsing the difference between them is tricky.

From New York Times • Sep. 1, 2021

The spotted skunk may be an even more important enemy of the woodrat, although the evidence is circumstantial.

From Ecological Observations on the Woodrat, Neotoma floridana by Fitch, Henry S.

Sign of spotted skunk was noted frequently on various parts of the Reservation, especially along the hilltop ledges which were the best woodrat habitat.

From Ecological Observations on the Woodrat, Neotoma floridana by Fitch, Henry S.