Striped skunks occupy a variety of habitats including forests, cultivated copies, and even suburban neighborhoods. In North Carolina there are often noticeable large gaps in its distribution in the state, probably due to outbreaks of various diseases which eliminate the Striped Skunk periodically over sizable portions of its range. Because of the tenacious, clinging qualities of the skunk's pungent musk, the fluid has been used commercially as a base for perfumes. Skunks are also trapped for their fur. Earlier this century there was a great demand for their pelts.
Skunks are very adaptable animals, often living in close proximity to man.
They sometimes will den beneath buildings, causing great concern to nearby human occupants and occasionally cause damage to grassy lawns as they dig for grubs and other insects. Skunks may also raid backyard garbage cans for leftovers. They tend to be quite tolerant of humans and other animals and can often be approached quite closely. Skunks are known to be one of the major wild carriers of rabies in this country although the vast majority of skunks are free of this dreaded disease. Any Skunk that acts particularly tame or overly aggressive could possibly be harbor rabies or another disease such as distemper and should be left alone.