ILLINOIS MAMMALS - MEDIUM TO LARGE

5. This mammal is polygamous with the breeding season occurring between mid-February and mid-March. A litter usually has four to eight young that arrive in May or early June. By the time the young are 2 weeks old they are fully furred, but their eyes won’t open for nearly 2 more weeks. Young start hunting with the female at 7 weeks and by fall have set off to find their own territories. Need a hint? Their unique, and smelly, defense mechanism develops at about 8 days of age but they don’t use it for defense until they are about a month old.

Mink

Virginia opossum

Striped skunk

Correct! This describes a striped skunk. Striped skunks are widespread in Illinois and use a variety of habitats. Skunks do not have good eyesight and move through their environment using hearing and sense of smell. When danger is perceived, skunks will stomp their feet, arch their back, and raise their tail before spraying their defensive liquid.

This describes a striped skunk. Striped skunks are widespread in Illinois and use a variety of habitats. Skunks do not have good eyesight and move through their environment using hearing and sense of smell. When danger is perceived, skunks will stomp their feet, arch their back, and raise their tail before spraying their defensive liquid.

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