post #1645567

Mephitids, also known as the Mephitidae, are a family of mammals comprising the skunks and stink badgers. Skunks were formerly classified as a subfamily of the Mustelidae (the weasel family); however, recent genetic evidence has caused skunks to be treated as a separate family. Similarly, the stink badgers had been classified with badgers, but genetic evidence shows they share a more recent common ancestor with skunks, so they are now included in the skunk family.

Mephitids are noted for the great development of their anal scent glands, which they use to deter predators in a variety of ways depending on the species. They can vary in size form and weight, but often have moderately elongated bodies with relatively short, muscled legs and long front claws for digging. They are most commonly covered in black and white pelts, however some skunks are brown or grey and a few are cream-colored. All are striped, even from birth. They may have a single thick stripe across back and tail, two thinner stripes, or a series of white spots and broken stripes. Some also have stripes on their legs.

Species

• mephitid
• skunk
• hog-nosed_skunk
• american_hog-nosed_skunk
• humboldt's_hog-nosed_skunk
• molina's_hog-nosed_skunk
• striped_hog-nosed_skunk
• hooded_skunk
• spotted_skunk
• eastern_spotted_skunk
• pygmy_spotted_skunk
• southern_spotted_skunk
• western_spotted_skunk
• striped_skunk
• stink_badger
• palawan_stink_badger (pantot)
• sunda_stink_badger (teledu)

General anatomy

• claws
• countershading
• reverse_countershading
• fur
• long_tail
• spots
• stripes
• skunk_spray

Other rankings

• tag group:species
• mammal
• afrosoricid - Golden mole and tenrec.
• bovine - Buffalo, cattle, yak, etc.
• camelid - Alpaca, camel, llama, etc.
• canine - Dog, fox, wolf, etc.
• caprine - Goat, ibex, sheep, etc.
• cervine - Elk, moose, reindeer, etc.
• cetacean - Dolphin, porpoise, whale, etc.
• equine - Donkey, horse, zebra, etc.
• eulipotyphlan - Hedgehog, mole, shrew, etc.
• euplerid - Fanaloka, fossa, vontsira, etc.
• feline - Cat, lion, tiger, etc.
• giraffid - Giraffe, okapi, etc.
• herpestid - Mongoose
• lagomorph - Rabbit, hare, pika, etc.
• marsupial - Kangaroo, koala, opossum, etc.
• mephitid - Skunks and stink badgers.
• monotreme - Echidna and platypus
• mustelid - Ferret, otter, weasel, etc.
• pinniped - Sea lion, seal, walrus, etc.
• porcine - Boar, pig, warthog, etc.
• primate - Ape, lemur, monkey, etc. (excludes human)
• proboscidean - Elephant, mammoth, mastodon, etc.
• procyonid - Kinkajou, raccoon, ring-tailed cat, etc.
• rodent - Mouse, rat, squirrel, etc.
• ursine - Grizzly bear, panda, polar bear, etc.
• viverrid - Civet, genet, linsang, etc.
• xenarthran - Anteater, armadillo, and sloth.