It also has a separate white stripe running from the base of the snout up between the eyes and ending on the forehead. Stripe width and length vary with each individual. Stripes sometimes occur on the tail, but more often the tail is composed of both black and white hairs intermixed. Mephitis mephitis is about the size of a domestic cat, with a small head, small ears, short legs, and a long, fluffy tail. Feet are plantigrade with five partially webbed toes.
Claws are longer on the front feet to aid in digging.
The skull is distinct from other carnivores in having only one molar on each side of the upper jaw and two on each side of the lower jaw. The upper molars have a characteristic square shape. Reproduction Females are monestrous, but they occasionally can have a second estrous if the first pregnancy is unsuccessful. The gestation period is between 60 and 77 days, with delayed implantation probably involved. Usually, five or six young are born in each litter.