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

See Examples For:

spotted skunk

It is also home to a lizard species found only on three of the Channel Islands; a spotted skunk that lives on just two Channel Islands; a unique island fox subspecies; and several uncommon birds.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026

Santa Rosa Island is also home to a lizard species found on three of the Channel Islands, a spotted skunk endemic to two Channel Islands, a unique island fox subspecies and several uncommon birds.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2026

Santa Rosa is home to six endemic plants, as well as the island spotted skunk and rare birds, Cohen said.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2026

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

There are but two species of skunk found in North America, namely, the common striped skunk and the small spotted skunk of the Central States,—commonly known as the "civet cat."

From Fur Farming A book of Information about Fur Bearing Animals, Enclosures, Habits, Care, etc. by Harding, A. R. (Arthur Robert)