Very little is known about this particular species of hog-nosed skunk (e.g. population density, mating system, etc.). More research into the natural history of this species is required for complete understanding.
Conepatus humboldtii communicates by bodily gestures to ward off potential danger. This may be stamping its feet or raising its rear in the air. Like other skunks, it is known to eject a foul smelling secretion from its anal glands if threatened. Little is known of mating behavior of C. humboldtii.
Communication Channels: visual ; chemical
Other Communication Modes: scent marks
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Conepatus humboldtii is listed on the CITES appendix II.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: appendix ii
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
C. humboldtii undergoes similar development as other mustelidae. At birth young weigh approximately one ounce. Growth to adulthood usually takes up to 3 months (Chapman and Feldhammer 1982).
These anmals are not reported to have any negative economic impact on humans.
The pelts of hog-nosed skunk were exported a great deal between 1960 and 1980. The pelts of C. humboldtii were thought to be of lesser value than other Conepatus species. In 1983, C. humboldtii was protected against export in Argentina and Chile. These animals are apparently still used in the pet trade.
Positive Impacts: pet trade ; body parts are source of valuable material
C. humboldtii probably affects populations of insects and other small mammals it preys upon. To the extent that it digs in the soil for burrowing or to locate its insect prey, this species probably also helps to aerate the soil.
Ecosystem Impact: soil aeration
Patagonian hog-nosed skunks primarily eat insects. They may however feed on small mammals, shrubs, and fruit in addition to insects.
Animal Foods: birds; mammals; amphibians; reptiles; fish; eggs; insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods
Plant Foods: seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit
Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore )
Patagonian hog-nosed skunks are found in Chile and Argentina from 38 to 42 degrees south to the Strait of Magellan.
Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )
Habitat use for Patagonian hog-nose skunks ranges from grass and shrub land to rocky outcroppings. They may also be found around human dwellings (e.g. houses, sheds, etc.). Conepatus humboldtii is found at elevations from 200 to 700 m above sea level.
Range elevation: 200 to 700 m.
Habitat Regions: terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; chaparral ; scrub forest ; mountains
Other Habitat Features: agricultural
Little is known about the lifespan of C. humboldtii in the wild. However, similar species of hog-nosed skunk have lived up to 7 years in captivity.
Conepatus humboldtii is approximately 50 to 60 cm in length counting the tail which is 15 to 18 centimeters in length. These animals weigh between 1100 to 4500 g. Both males and females are black and may have 1 or 2 stripes down the side of their bodies. They are sexually dimorphic with the males being slightly larger. Conepatus humboldtii has a bare, broad, projecting face that lacks the thin white line down the middle. This allows it to be easily distinguished from similar species of skunk.
Range mass: 1100 to 4500 g.
Range length: 50 to 60 cm.
Sexual Dimorphism: male larger
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Conepatus humboldtii has no real natural predators, although certain species of skunks have been preyed upon by raptors such as great-horned owls. The lack of natural predators may be in fact due to the skunk’s ability to emit a powerful smelling musk out of anal glands on its rear end.
There are reports that hog-nosed skunks in the Andes are immune to the venum of pit vipers. This might indicate an historic case of predation on these skunks by snakes which is no longer of importance, or it may indicate that the skunks prey on pit vipers.
The mating system of these animals has not been described.
Data are lacking on the breeding season of this species, but in congeneric Conepatus leuconotus in Texas, reproduction usually occurs between February and March. Gestation for C. humboldtii lasts approximately 9 weeks. Patagonian hog-nosed skunks bear 3 to 7 altricial young. The reason for such a small litter is believed to be the relatively small number of mammae possessed by the females. Female Patagonian hog-nosed skunks have 3 pair of mammae, as opposed to other species of skunks, which may have more. Young are not “weaned” in the traditional sense, but simply stop nursing when able to take in a regular diet.
The timing of sexual maturity in C. humboldtii is not known, but in C. leuconotus has been reported as 10 to 11 months of age.
Breeding interval: These animals appear to breed once per year.
Breeding season: Breeding season for this species is not reported.
Range number of offspring: 3 to 7.
Average gestation period: 9 weeks.
Average weaning age: 2 months.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization ; delayed implantation
The parental care of this species has not been described. However, other skunks give birth to altricial young, which are kept in a den or nest until they are able to walk about. The mother provides the young with food in the form of milk, and protection.
Parental Investment: no parental involvement; altricial ; pre-fertilization (Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-independence (Protecting: Female)
Humboldt's hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus humboldtii), also known as the Patagonian hog-nosed skunk, is a type of hog-nosed skunk indigenous to the open grassy areas in the Patagonian regions of South Argentina and Chile. It belongs to the order Carnivora and the family Mephitidae.
This skunk is small and stocky, with a bare nose elongated for the purpose of finding ground beetles, grasshoppers and crickets.[3] Its fur is brownish-red with two symmetrical stripes on either side, extending to the tail. It ranges from 30 to 34 cm in body length, with a 17- to 21-cm tail. They usually weigh 1.5 to 3.0 kg. The skunk has long claws and well developed forelimbs in order to dig to locate prey.[3]
Its teeth are specialized for the consumption of invertebrates and fruit, their lower molars are adapted for crushing such resistant foods. Similar adaptation of the molars is seen in the South American gray fox.[3] Like all South American hog-nosed skunks, it is smaller with a more primitive skull and tooth structure than North American skunks.[4]
There is high pressure from intraguild predation on Humboldt's hog-nosed skunks. It is often preyed upon and targeted competitively by larger carnivorans such as the culpeo, chilla fox, Geoffrey's cat, pampas cat, Andean cat, and puma. It, however, is unlikely to target other carnivorans.[5]
Humboldt's hog-nosed skunks are omnivorous, feeding primarily on insects but also on vertebrate prey, such as rodents and carrion during winters, when insects are less abundant.[3] Patagonian hog nosed skunks have also been known to eat fruit[3]
Unlike other South American carnivorans, it is less effected by competition from increased dietary homogenization in areas where native prey species have gone extinct due to its largely strictly insectivorous diet.[6]
Humboldt's hog-nosed skunks are crepuscular, active primarily at dawn and twilight. It does little in the way of active hunting, selecting prey that is easiest to capture. During the winter seasons, it shifts from its open grassy habitats to shrubs, forests, and mountainous areas as insect populations decline to seek alternative food sources.[3]
C. humboldtii's and C. chinga's status as separate species is debated. There is a high degree of observed variation in coloration and pattern within the two species and observed differences are inconsistent.[7] Much of the variation in shape and size observed can be attributed to environmental influence.[7] Morphological comparisons show a wide overlap in skull and mandibular structure, as well.[7] In 2021, the American Society of Mammalogists considered C. humboldtii conspecific with C. chinga.[8]
Humboldt's hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus humboldtii), also known as the Patagonian hog-nosed skunk, is a type of hog-nosed skunk indigenous to the open grassy areas in the Patagonian regions of South Argentina and Chile. It belongs to the order Carnivora and the family Mephitidae.