Striped skunk without a stripe

Two species of skunk are indigenous to North America -- the striped skunk and the hooded skunk.

This skunk has several characteristics of the hooded skunk. It is smaller than an adult striped skunk.

Instead of the normal stripe down each side of the striped skunk, this one has only a short partial stripe extending over its right front shoulder. It also has a very distinct hood of white hair. All information I found on the hooded skunk said its range is mostly in Mexico, and it is found no closer to Missouri than southern Texas.

According to skunk information I researched, the one deciding factor indicating this is a striped skunk is the hooded skunk is white from the top of its head down the length of its back to the tip of its tail. This skunk is a striped skunk with only a partial stripe. I believe this is a 1-year-old skunk, which accounts for its small size. The striped skunk is common and usually easy to recognize.

I discovered this skunk foraging in fallen leaves near its den on a seasonally warm late winter day. It sensed I was no threat to it. We recognized and respected each other's presence well before I was close enough to obtain this photo. It watched me slowly maneuver closer, using an erratic, indirect approach to within about 15 feet to capture this photo. Standing only inches from its den, it must have felt safe, because it gave no indication that it wanted to spray me. I must warn you, though, a skunk is nothing to be careless with. Another skunk may not be so accommodating.