And, like these two other mammals, skunks walk in a plantigrade manner-on the soles of their feet with heels touching the ground. The claws of a skunk's forefeet are long and sharp, well-adapted to digging. A skunk is colored black and white. Stripes vary in length and width among individuals. The tail is bushy and black, usually tipped white.
Sexes are colored and marked alike.
A skunk's pelt is composed of soft, wavy underfur overlain with long, coarse guard hairs. Skunks molt yearly, beginning in April and ending some time in September. Skunks make a variety of sounds, including hisses, growls, squeals, soft cooings and churrings. By nature, skunks are placid and sluggish. They can swim, but are poor climbers.