The eyes are small and the ears short. They live in open prairie, brushy areas, and cultivated land, and den in a variety of above and below ground areas. They are mostly nocturnal and very secretive. They eat insects primarily but will also feed on the occasional mouse, rabbit, or other small mammal. They can accurately fire this spray for 5-10feet, and less accurately to 20feet.
Skunks usually spray behind, but can also spray to the side and in front by twisting the body.
They often warn enemies, by stamping their feet, doing a handstand, growling, hissing, or most often, by raising the tail and erecting the tail hairs.