Molina's hog-nosed skunk

Molina's hog-nosed skunk, also called the Andes skunk (Conepatus chinga), is a skunk species from South America. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Paraguay, and Uruguay, at elevations up to 5000 m.

Molina's hog-nosed skunk
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Family:	Mephitidae
Genus:	Conepatus
Species:	C. chinga
Binomial name
Conepatus chinga (Molina, 1782)
Molina's hog-nosed skunk range

Habitat

The Molina's hog-nosed skunk's native range is throughout mid to southern South America, Chile, Peru, northern Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and southern Brazil.^[2] The mammal is therefore associated with temperate regions and open areas, mainly described as the Pampas biome^[3] and preferring to live in open vegetation, shrub forest and rocky sloped areas.^[2]

Population and distribution

Typically they will live alone in an average home range size of about 1.66 individuals/km² with some overlapping and about six skunks per 3.5 km².^[4] Although living in mostly solitary areas, the skunks will come together temporarily for mating purposes.^[2]

Diet

Foraging mainly at night, the skunk is omnivorous, eating birds, small mammals, eggs, insects, leaves, and fruit. The tooth morphology in the Molina's hog-nosed skunk, is different from most mammals in that their teeth are adapted to their omnivorous diet with grinding being the main function of the carnassial apparatus.^[5]

Conservation status

The skunk is listed as "least concern" according to the IUCN Red List. The main threats to the skunk are increased habitat destruction and fragmentation^[6] from over exploitation of humans and grazing in agriculture. The skunk is also affected by the planning of new roads and road-kills. Due to improper planning, habitat destruction, and fragmentation, the skunk has started living around man-made structures and along fences and buildings.^[6]