Hooded Skunk Skull Replica

Description

Hooded skunk skull replica measures 2.2 x 1.4 x 1.1 inches. The Mephitis macroura is s museum-quality polyurethane resin cast of a California Academy of Sciences specimen. 2-part skull (separate cranium and mandible). 1:1 scale. Made in USA.

The hooded skunk ranges from the southwestern United States down to northwest Costa Rica. People aslo call this mammal a white-sided skunk. It is highly abundant in Mexico.

The species name Mephitis means foul odor in Latin. You can tell it apart from the similar striped skunk by its longer tail. It also has a much softer fur coat. A white ruff of fur around its neck gives this animal its common name.

Southern Mexico skunks are more than 50 percent smaller than those in the southwestern United States. They live in grasslands, deserts, and mountain foothills. They avoid high mountain heights and prefer to live right near a water source like a river. Females tend to be 15 percent smaller than males.

The breeding season runs between February and March. Females give birth to a litter of three to eight babies.

Their diet consists mostly of plants, especially the prickly pear. They also readily eat insects, small animals, and bird eggs. They host a range of pests like fleas and worms, but they do not carry rabies.

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Carnivora
• Family: Mephitidae
• Genus: Mephitis
• Species: M. macroura
• Binomial name: Mephitis macroura
• Conservation status: Least concern

Arranging the hooded skunk skull with the striped skunk skull replica, the western spotted skunk skull replica, and the hog-nosed skunk skull replica produces an exhibit for your guests to view the skull differences between these four skunks, and they will not have to hold their breath.