By Ryan Walker
Geographic Range
Conepatus semistriatus is a neotropical species. Its range begins in southern Mexico and continues south and east into northern Peru and eastern Brazil. (Nowak, 1999)
Biogeographic Regions:
neotropical 
(native ).
Habitat
Habitat selection by C. semistriatus depends on the season. During the dry season, the habitat selection is most diverse and includes grasslands, deciduous forests, shrub woodlands, and open areas, with a majority of the time spent in deciduous forests and shrub woodlands. During the wet season, habitat selection becomes more selective and tends to be restricted to areas of higher elevations, mainly in deciduous forests. (Sunquist, Sunquist, and Daneke, 1989)
These animals are found in the following types of habitat:
tropical ; terrestrial .
Terrestrial Biomes:
savanna or grassland ; chaparral ; forest ; scrub forest .
Physical Description
(56.32 oz)
(22.44 in)
The back of C. semistriatus is black with a white area beginning at the nape of the neck and extending backward, then branching into two stripes separated by a narrow black stripe. The tail is covered with an array of black and white hairs that are shorter than in other species of the genus. The fur is more coarse in Conepatus than in other genera of skunks. (Medellin et al., 1992; Nowak, 1999)
The average wieght of C. semistriatus is 1600 g, and the average length is 570 mm. males are reported otbe larger than females.
The claws of this species are elongated, as is typical of the genus. The species has a broad hog-like nosepad, from which it gets its common name. (Medellin et al., 1992)
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry .
Sexual dimorphism: male larger.
Reproduction
The breeding interval has not been reported for this species, but for other members of the genus, it is annual.
The breeding season of this species is unknown, but in other species of the genus, mating occurs in the spring.
The mating system of these animals has not been documented. However, other members of the subfamily Mephitinae (skunks) are typically polygynous. Males are often larger than females and have larger home ranges. Because of the sexual size dimorphism seen in C. semistriatus, it is likely that this species follows the general pattern of the subfamily. (Nowak, 1999)
Reproduction in this species is not well documented. However, in the genus Conepatus, mating is reported to occur in early spring, with birth following after approximately 42 days of gestation. Litters of 2 to 5 young are common. Weaning apparently occurs by about 3 months of age. Sexual maturity occurs by the age of 10 months. (Nowak, 1999)
Delayed implantation is common in Mustelids, and in the subfamily Mephitinae, but has not been documented in Conepatus. (Nowak, 1999)
In temperate species, reproduction apparently occurs annually, but no information is available for C. semistriatus. (Nowak, 1999)
Key reproductive features:
iteroparous ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization ; viviparous .
The parental investment of this species has not been documented. However, in other members of the Mephitinae, females are responsible for the bulk of parental care. They give birth to young in a den or burrow of some sort. The young are altricial, and stay in the den until they are able to follow their mother on foraging trips. It is reasonable to assume that C. conepatus is similar. as in all mammals, the mother provides the offspring with milk. (Nowak, 1999)
Parental investment:
no parental involvement; altricial ; pre-fertilization (protecting: female); pre-hatching/birth (provisioning: female, protecting: female); pre-weaning/fledging (provisioning: female, protecting: female); pre-independence (protecting: female).
Lifespan/Longevity
There are no reports of longevity in this species. However, another species in the genus is reported to have lived almost 9 years in captivity. (Nowak, 1999)
Behavior
In radio-tracking studies conducted on C. semistriatus it was found to be a solitary and nocturnal animal. The sightings were only of individual animals. Nocturnal movements began anywhere from 8:00 pm to 12:00 pm and lasted for a period of 6 hours. (Sunquist, Sunquist, and Daneke, 1989)
Home Range
Home range varies with the season. During the dry season the minimum home range was 53 ha, while it was only 18 ha for the wet season. This reduction of home range size in the wet season probably is a response to greater food availability, and therefore a reduced need to travel to get enough to eat. (Medellin et al., 1992)
Communication and Perception
No documentation was found on the communication patterns of this species. However, as in other mammals it is likely that communication involves tactile, vocal, and visual cues. In addition, as mustelids, we can assume that chemical communication from the well developed anal glands plays some role in this species. (Nowak, 1999)
Other communication keywords:
scent marks .
Food Habits
The diet of hog-nosed skunks is varied, but mainly concentrated on insects, lizards, and birds. Other items identified from scat samples include seeds, opossums, armadillos, and small rodents. A large portion of the insect remains appeared to be from termites. (Olmos, 1993)
Primary Diet:
omnivore .
Animal Foods:
birds; mammals; reptiles; carrion ; insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods.
Plant Foods:
seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit.
Predation
Although no information was found on anti-predator adaptations in this species, most skunks avoid predation by emitting a strong odor from anal glands. This species has no known predators.
Ecosystem Roles
It is likely that this species helps to distribute seeds of the fruits it consumes. In addition, these skunks probably affect populations of smaller animals upon which they prey.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
No documentation was found.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
No documentation was found.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: [link]:
Lower Risk - Least Concern.
US Federal List: [link]:
No special status.
CITES: [link]:
No special status.
This species is not listed by IUCN or CITES.
For More Information
Find Conepatus semistriatus information at
Contributors
Nancy Shefferly (editor), Animal Diversity Web Staff.
Ryan Walker (author), University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Chris Yahnke (editor, instructor), University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.
