Hooded skunk

Description

The hooded mop ( Mephitis macroura ) is similar to the striated skunk,but can be distinguished from the latter by the longer tail and the thicker and softer coat.A tuft of white hair around the neck gives this animal its common name.The hairs of the back are almost all white,while those of the belly are black;there is,however,a wide range of variations of these two colors.In one type,for example,the back is completely white,while in another the back,black,is crossed by two white longitudinal strips.