The striped skunk is easily identified by its shiny black coat
and bushy tail, with a white stripe on its forehead, a white
crown on its head, and two stripes that extend down either side
of its back. The striped skunk is found throughout Minnesota but
is not common in the northeastern part. It is less likely to be
found in areas of dense forest and swampy areas, and it favors
environments where there is a concentration of small rodents.
Striped skunks live in dens, which they usually dig themselves,
although in the summer they may choose another convenient
shelter. In about mid-November, they den up for the winter. They
do not hibernate, but rather they become inactive during cold
weather and may come out in spells of warm weather. Striped
skunks are nocturnal. As adults they are solitary except at
mating time and at winter denning time, when several adults may
share a den. They are omnivorous, and their diet includes
insects, small mammals, eggs and young birds, amphibians,
snails, crayfish, fruits and berr