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

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

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.