Skunk

The skunk can be trapped from November 1st through February 28th of the following year. Typically no larger than your average housecat, this small animal packs quite the punch when it comes to it's pungent musk which it sprays at will with surprising accuracy. The striped skunk has a small, black head with a white stripe between the eyes and two broad white stripes which meet at the shoulders of its black back, however color mutations can occur where the skunk is completely white, completely black, or with one single stripe. The tail is black with a white tip or fringe. Skunks have adapted well to urban living, and can be found anywhere there is food, water, and shelter. Once called Black Ermine, the pelt had good value, however restrictions now require it to be labeled correctly. Their pelts are not terribly valuable, but the musk, once the odor is removed, is used as a perfume base because of its clinging and carrying quality. They are omnivorous, and feed on a wide variety of vegetable matter, insects and grubs, small mammals, and amphibians. They are the second largest carrier of rabies in Massachusetts.