Survey of the hooded skunk in the Trans-Pecos Ecoregion

The hooded skunk (Mephitis macroura) is recognized as a species of
greatest conservation need in Texas and is one of the rarest carnivores in
Texas. It is one of five species of skunks in Texas, and documentation of
this mammal has been difficult in part because of its variable pelage
patterns, all like those of the ubiquitous striped skunk (Mephitis
mephitis). We studied this species to meet three objectives: 1) determine
hooded skunk historical and recent occurrence records in the state, 2)
conduct a field-based study of the lower elevations of the Big Bend region
of Texas to inform local presence, and 3) model the distribution of the
species with an emphasis on Chihuahuan Desert populations.  This
report details the results of our studies and how those research
objectives were met.