There are many similarities between badgers and skunks. They often get confused because of their physical similarities. Yet, they are distinctly different species that have plenty of differences. The only thing you need to do is get a whiff and you’ll be able to identify it instantly! What is the difference between a Badger and a Skunk?
Skunks and Badgers: Key Differences
Skunks and badgers are both smelly animals, though they have different ways of doing it. There is no close relation between these two mammals, but they have co-evolved the capacity to use smell as a defense, which makes many assume they are related.
Skunks and badgers are similar in size, but skunks are smellier and have a different distribution.
It is almost always the badgers that are larger when it comes to size. Skunks are smaller than cats, but their punch is just as powerful. Despite the most intent invasion, skunks can repel invaders with a fluid they produce from special glands. In addition to using their anal glands as territorial markers, badgers can also release smell bombs, but they aren’t as effective or specific as skunks. Badgers are better at distributing food than humans. A total of 15 species of badger live on most continents of the world. North and South America are the only continents where skunks live, with Indonesia having a disputed species.
It is possible to distinguish one from the other by a few more differences besides these. Check out the details below.
Badger Vs Skunk: Size
The size of badgers and skunks can be used to tell them apart. It is estimated that badgers weigh between 24 and 30 pounds, which is much larger than skunks. Identifying a skunk and a badger by relative size is only necessary in North America since the two animals share the same range. It is generally accepted that the European badger is the largest species of badger. While the American badger is a bit smaller and looks similar to the European badger, it is commonly used in cartoon descriptions and most people are familiar with it.
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Skunks are small, nocturnal animals that don’t rely on their strength and size like badgers. Because of this, they can be much smaller, usually 1-15 pounds on average. Skunks come in a variety of sizes, with the Eastern hog-nosed skunk being the largest, and the pygmy spotted skunk being the smallest.
Badger Vs Skunk: Spray
It’s hard to beat skunks and badgers when it comes to stinky animals. Its glandular secretions are known for marking its territory. Badgers are member of the mustelid family. The secretion can, however, be used as a defense mechanism in some badger species. They try to confuse and frighten their attacker by dropping some of their secretion if they feel threatened. While it isn’t as strong as the one of a skunk, it is still quite powerful nonetheless. African honey badgers have been shown to have such a powerful anal smell that it causes bees to become sluggish, enabling them to steal honey.
It is no secret that skunks smell awful, and for good reason. Predators (and humans) know to stay away from this animal because it has one of the most pungent smells in the world. With stinky precision, skunks can spray a special fluid from their stink glands as far as 15 feet away. Skunks can shoot five times before running out of fluid at any given time. You should back away slowly from a skunk if you see its tail wagging and its hind legs hopping. Months or even years can pass before the odor disappears.
Badger Vs Skunk: Tail
The tail is an easy way to differentiate between two animals based on their appearance. With a short, stocky body and strong tail, badgers have a short, stocky appearance. Compared to a skunk, which is always fluffy and long, a skunk warns potential predators of its presence. Skunk tails in the air are a sure sign that you should go outside!
Badger Vs Skunk: Color
It depends mostly on the species of badger what color and pattern it has. A black, white, or brown color is the most common. In contrast, the American badger has a black and white head, a black back, and a tan or brown underbelly. The European badger is famous for its white and black striped head and black body. There are many variations in the coloration of honey badgers, but in general they are black and white. Halfway down towards the bottom, they have a hard switch from white to black.
Black and white skeunks are almost exclusively found in nature, and their coloration serves as an additional form of protection. In a similar way that poisonous animals and bugs are brightly colored to warn you to stay away, the coloration of a skunk does the same. There are different patterns of black and white depending on the species. A spotted skunk has a spotted pattern, while a hog-nosed skunk has striped patterns.
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Badger Vs Skunk: Distribution
There are many species of badgers around the world, but they are among the most widespread mustelids. American badgers live in North America, honey badgers live in Africa, European badgers live in Europe, and Asian badgers live in Asia. Additionally, there are five other relatively common species besides these four. Nevertheless, there is one interesting note to be made regarding the Sunda stink badger. Badgers, such as sunda stink badgers, can spray foul-smelling liquid up to six inches away. Skunks belong to the Mephitidae family today.
North and South America is the only region where skunks are native, with 12 species (including the Sunda stink badger) divided into four genera.It was once believed that skunks were part of the mustelid family, but they are now classified as a distinct family.Raccoons and red pandas are their closest relatives.
