There are two species of skunks in Missouri, the more familiar striped skunk and the lesser known spotted skunk. The spotted skunk is also called a civet cat, but this name is misleading and incorrect because this mammal is not closely related to the true civets of the Old World or to cats. Both skunks are predominantly black with their typical white markings.
Skunks are notorious for their ability to discharge an obnoxious scent upon provocation.
This disagreeable scent, or musk, is secreted by two internal glands located at the base of the tail in both sexes. The skunk exercises voluntary control over these scent glands and can aim behind, to either side of or in front of itself by changing the direction of aim of the nipples. The musk of skunks is painful to the eyes, but does not cause permanent blindness. Distribution and abundance. These two skunks occur throughout Missouri but are least numerous in the Mississippi Lowland where there is little high land for den sites.