Males on average are 15 percent larger and heavier than females. The bottoms of their feet are hairless, like those of bears or raccoons. 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.