Conepatus leuconotus (Lichtenstein, 1832)

Álvarez-Córdova, Fernando & Fernández, Jesús A., 2021, Medium-sized and large mammals of the pine-oak forests and grasslands of the Rancho Experimental Teseachi in Chihuahua, Mexico, Check List 17 (2), pp. 669-681 : 677-678

Conepatus leuconotus (Lichtenstein, 1832)

Hog-nosed Skunk

Figure 3A

Material examined. MEXICO – Chihuahua • 3; Municipality of Namiquipa ; 28°47′30″N, 107°28′49″W; elevation 2,124 m a.s.l.; 21 April 2018; obs. F. Álvarez-Córdova • 6; Municipality of Namiquipa ; 28°47′49″N, 107°29′02″W; elevation 2,107 m a.s.l.; 17 June 2018; obs. F. Álvarez- Córdova • 16; Municipality of Namiquipa ; 28°52’49”N, 107°27’08”W; elevation 1,876 m a.s.l.; 12 October 2019; obs. F. Álvarez-Córdova; UACH-CF-8109-8133 .

Identification. This is the largest skunk and only species of Conepatus Gray, 1837 occurring in Chihuahua. The body is black with a white dorsal band and a pig-like nose ( Dragoo et al. 2003; Dragoo and Sheffield 2009).

Distribution. Southwestern USA through most of Mexico (but not in Baja California) to northern Nicaragua ( Dragoo and Sheffield 2009). Recorded habitats in Chi- huahua are sierras and valleys.

Remarks. Four skunks have been recorded in Chihuahua and in the ranch (López-González and García- Mendoza 2012). This species is easily diagnosed by its pig-like nose.