When faced with danger, it arches its back and erects its tail and hair. When it feels mortally threatened, it bends into a U-shape with both head and rump facing the enemy. It then squirts out two streams of fluid from scent glands located just inside the anus, which meet after travelling about a foot, finally spreading into a fine spray that can travel up to 2 or 3 meters. The spray often causes nausea and burns the eyes and nasal cavities of the unfortunate target. The spray is also used by males to communicate with the opposite sex during mating season and to mark their territories.
Males are usually polygamous and solitary.
Males and females usually do not have relationships beyond the few days required for fertilization. Striped skunks are nocturnal, sleeping during the day in underground burrows and emerging around dusk to search for food. They prefer to use existing burrows made by other animals of equal size or natural burrows under tree stumps or buildings. They use their long front claws to build their own den if necessary. Both males and females undergo periods of inactivity from November until March.