Rural areas with rolling hills or bluffs and a mixture of farmland, timber, and pastureland tend to support the highest numbers. Striped skunks are abundant in some urban areas, especially those located along railroads or high-tension power lines because these features provide travelways and denning sites. Outbreaks of diseases like rabies and distemper can cause a striped skunk population to decline sharply. Overall, this species is probably less common now than it was 50 years ago because small cattle operations and small grain farming have given way to larger, less diverse crop farms. Habitat Striped skunks use a wide variety of habitats but prefer forest borders, brushy areas, and open, grassy fields broken by wooded ravines and rock formations.
Permanent water is usually close by.
Skunks can dig their own dens, but prefer to use those excavated by badgers, woodchucks, or other animals. Den sites also include stumps, caves, rock piles, old buildings, junk piles, sheds, wood piles, and dry drainage tiles or storm sewers. Habits Striped skunks are active at night and occasionally during the daylight hours of early morning or late evening. While skunks aren't likely to move long distances, some have traveled as far as 6 miles away from where they were captured. Skunks are slow moving and docile.