The striped skunk is a medium size skunk. The white stripe on the top of its head forks into two separate stripes that run along its back. When startled, the striped skunk will make a peculiar purring sound and may even growl. The mercaptan not only carries a terrible odor but, if it hits the eyes, will blind the skunk's target for up to two days.
Striped skunks are family oriented.
Several will often share a den. Skunk families not only sleep together, but often hunt together. They walk in single file on hunting expeditions. Striped skunks are almost exclusively nocturnal. Their varied diet which includes vegetation, reptiles, insects, rodents, snails, and reptiles.