Zoo database

Striped skunk

Mephitis mephitis

Natural diet Striped skunk

Grasses
Insects
Invertebrates / crustaceans
Leaves
Vertebrates

The striped skunk is an opportunistic omnivorous species. Its diet is very diverse and dependent on the region and time of year. The diet may include: insects, small mammals, leaves, grasses, carrion and more.

Feeding advice Striped skunk

Feed quantity per day

3-5% of body weight

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 4 kg and eats 3% of its body weight, it will get

4 x 0.03 = 0.12 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

40% Meat products and whole prey
30% Insects and other invertebrates
15% Concentrates
10% Other vegetables
5% Other

Proportions (fresh product)

0.4 x 0.12 kg = 48 g meat products and whole prey
0.3 x 0.12 kg = 36 g insects and other invertebrates
0.15 x 0.12 kg = 18 g concentrates
0.1 x 0.12 kg = 12 g other vegetables
0.05 x 0.12 kg = 6 g other

Diet suggestions

In moderation

Variety of vegetables
Eggs

Not recommended

Fruits

Additional advice

Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over at least two feeding moments per day.
Supplement a variety of diet components to avoid nutrient deficiencies in the animal.
By feeding smaller portions, issues related to vomiting can be prevented.
Stimulate foraging behaviour by hiding, stacking or hanging the feed (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).

Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

Obesity
Diabetes
Hepatic lipidosis
Metabolic bone disease
Dental disease
Dermatitis
Anorexia
Cardiac disease

Feed quantity per day

Sample percentage calculation

Feed composition

Proportions (fresh product)

DK Omnivore diet

Grillen

Buffalowürmer

Mehlwürmer

Marieke Post

Manager R&D & QA