Any of several boldly patterned, nocturnal omnivores, noted for their pungent defense mechanism. Represented in the North Country by the common Striped Skunk ( Mephitis mephitis). From the Abnaki (Eastern Algonkin) segankw/ segongw. Jikaag in the Ojibwe.
Skunks are moderately small mammals, usually with black-and-white fur, belonging to the family Mephitidae and to the order Carnivora. There are 11 species of skunks, which are divided into four genera: Mephitis (hooded and striped skunks, two species), Spilogale (spotted skunks, two species), Mydaus (stink badgers, two species), and Conepatus (hog-nosed skunks, five species). The two skunk species in the Mydaus genus inhabit Indonesia and the Philippines; all other skunks inhabit the Americas from Canada to central South America.