Conepatus humboldtii

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

View Printer Friendly

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	CARNIVORA	MEPHITIDAE

Scientific Name:

Conepatus humboldtii

Species Authority:

Gray, 1837

Common Name/s:

English

–

Humboldt's Hog-nosed Skunk, Patagonian Hog-nosed Skunk

Taxonomic Notes:

While many authors have traditionally considered skunks a subfamily (Mephitinae) within Mustelidae, recent molecular evidence indicates that skunks do not lie within the mustelid group and should be recognized as a single family, Mephitidae (Wozencraft 2005).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Least Concern ver 3.1
Year Published:	2008
Assessor/s:	Emmons, L. & Helgen, K.
Reviewer/s:	Duckworth, J.W. (Small Carnivore Red List Authority) & Schipper, J. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)
Contributor/s:
Justification: This species is listed as Least Concern as the species is widespread in an area of relatively intact habitat and it is common, sometimes occurring at high densities (Cofré et al., 1999).

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	The species is found in southern Argentina and adjacent parts of Chile (Redford and Eisenberg, 1989).
Countries:	Native: Argentina; Chile
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Olrog and Lucero (1980) state that it is locally common in Argentina. Some indication that the numbers ofC. humboldtii have decreased (Broad et al., 1988), but the numbers killed each year in Patagonia are not known and unpublished data show that population levels have been stable from 1989 to 1993. Population density value estimated for Chile is 89 individuals/km² (Cofré et al. 1999).
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	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.). C. humboldtii is found at elevations from 200 to 700 m above sea level (Fuller et al., 1987). This species is solitary and active mainly at night. Home ranges of individual skunks may overlap and range from 9.7 ha to 16.4 ha. Patagonian hog-nosed skunks forage exclusively in green grassy areas (Chapman and Feldhamer, 1982; Fuller et al. 1987). They primarily eat insects but may also feed on small mammals, shrubs, and fruit in addition to insects. (Fuller et al. 1987)
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

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.). C. humboldtii is found at elevations from 200 to 700 m above sea level (Fuller et al., 1987). This species is solitary and active mainly at night. Home ranges of individual skunks may overlap and range from 9.7 ha to 16.4 ha. Patagonian hog-nosed skunks forage exclusively in green grassy areas (Chapman and Feldhamer, 1982; Fuller et al. 1987). They primarily eat insects but may also feed on small mammals, shrubs, and fruit in addition to insects. (Fuller et al. 1987)

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The pelts of C. humboldtii were exported a great deal between 1960 and 1980 although 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 (Chapman and Feldhamer, 1982).

Major Threat(s):

The pelts of C. humboldtii were exported a great deal between 1960 and 1980 although 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 (Chapman and Feldhamer, 1982).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conepatus humboldtii is listed on the CITES Appendix II (Fuller et al. 1987).

Conservation Actions:

Conepatus humboldtii is listed on the CITES Appendix II (Fuller et al. 1987).

Citation:	Emmons, L. & Helgen, K. 2008. Conepatus humboldtii. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 23 May 2013.
Disclaimer:	To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
Feedback:	If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please fill in the feedback form so that we can correct or extend the information provided