Mephitidae


Mephitidae is a family of mammals comprising the skunks and stink badgers. They are noted for the great development of their anal scent glands, which they use to deter predators.
There are twelve extant species of mephitids in four genera: Conepatus ; Mephitis ; Mydaus ; and Spilogale. The two stink badgers in the genus Mydaus inhabit Indonesia and the Philippines; the other members of the family inhabit the Americas, ranging from Canada to central South America. All other mephitids are extinct, known through fossils, including those from Eurasia.
Skunks were formerly classified as a subfamily of the Mustelidae ; 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. In alphabetical order, the living species of Mephitidae are:

Genera

ImageGenusLiving Species
Conepatus Gray, 1837
Mephitis É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire and Cuvier, 1795
  • Mephitis macroura – hooded skunk
  • Mephitis mephitis – striped skunk
    • Mydaus Cuvier, 1821
  • Mydaus javanensis – Indonesian or Sunda stink badger
  • Mydaus marchei – Palawan stink badger
    • Spilogale Gray, 1865
  • Spilogale angustifrons – southern spotted skunk
  • Spilogale gracilis – western spotted skunk
  • Spilogale putorius – eastern spotted skunk
  • Spilogale pygmaea – pygmy spotted skunk