About ISLAND SPOTTED SKUNKS

Island spotted skunks (Spilogale gracilis amphiala) are small carnivores that live only on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa, two islands in the Channel Islands archipelago off the coast of California, USA. These striking, yet cryptic mammals may have also lived on nearby San Miguel Island, but haven't been seen there since the late 19th century. 

Spotted skunks probably colonized the Channel Islands over 9,000 years ago, when the sea level was lower than it is today. 
Picture
Photo by Calypso Gagorik

About The Working GROUP

The Island Spotted Skunk Working Group is a forum for researchers, biologists, and land managers to exchange ideas, share research, collaborate on projects, and discuss relevant issues regarding the island spotted skunk. As of 2023, the Working Group is composed of 66 members representing 19 universities, five government agencies, and seven NGOs.

Projects

There's still so much to learn about island spotted skunks. Members of the Island Spotted Skunk Working Group are actively pursuing research that will help us conserve this cryptic mesocarnivore. Learn more about ongoing research here:

​​Habitat & ACTIVITY

Health & Disease

Diet & Resources

Resources

If you're interested in learning more about island spotted skunks, a number of resources, reviews, reports, and scientific publications can be found here:

Blog

In this video, island spotted skunk biologists place a new radio collar on a skunk captured near her den on Santa Cruz Island.

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