Striped skunks are stout bodied omnivores with a black base color, and two white stripes running from head to tail. They have cone-shaped heads with a white stripe in the center of the eyes stretching from head to nose. They reach a maximum length of 81cm and weight of 4.5 kg. They possess scent glands that produce a musky smell when threatened.

Skunks will often dig their own dens, or inhabit those abandoned by other animals. They are primarily insectivores but will incorporate meat and vegetable matter into their diets on occasion. Primarily they consume insects like grasshoppers, crickets, caterpillars, and bees.