Molina’s Hog-nosed Skunk

A dark body, bushy tail and two pale stripes make this skunk distinctive, but the width and length of the white markings vary considerably. Its small ears and prominent nose suit a life close to the ground. Strong foreclaws are used to open the soil when searching for food.

The hog-nosed skunk forages mainly around dusk and at night, sometimes emerging during daylight. Insects and their larvae are important foods, alongside other animal and plant material. It usually travels alone, leaving small excavations where it has investigated the ground.

In our region. Present in the region throughout the year, but easily missed on daytime outings. A brief chance encounter is more realistic than a scheduled sighting.