Examples of animals that look like skunks include otters, badgers, weasels, martens, and wolverines.
There certainly are a variety of animals that look like skunks, but not all of them produce the foul-smelling fluid that is common among skunks.
Many people often mistake other creatures for these black and white striped mammals, but knowing the differences between these animals can help you better understand their characteristics and habits.
So, which animals are commonly mistaken for skunks?
Examples of Animals that Look Like Skunks
Examples of Animals that Look Like Skunks
Scientific NameTaxidea taxusType of AnimalMammalRangeTexas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana
The American badger is a stocky, short-legged animal with a wide-body and a long, pointed snout.
Badgers are also known to have black and white stripes on their faces, which can cause them to be confused with skunks.
However, the main difference between badgers and skunks is that badgers do not have the ability to spray their predators with foul-smelling fluid.
Scientific NameMartes foinaType of AnimalMammalRangeEurope and Central Asia
The beech marten is a species of mustelid that is widely distributed across Europe and Asia.
These animals are brown or reddish-brown in color with a yellowish or white belly, and they have a long, bushy tail.
Although they do not have the characteristic black and white stripes of skunks, their coloring and overall appearance can easily lead to confusion.
3. Chinese Ferret-Badger
3. Chinese Ferret-Badger
Scientific NameMelogale moschataType of AnimalMammalRangeChina, including Hainan Island, and south to Hong Kong and northern Indochina
The Chinese ferret-badger looks strikingly similar to a skunk, with its black fur and white stripes running down its back.
However, this creature is actually more closely related to weasels and otters than skunks.
Ferret-badgers are found in various parts of Asia, including China, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar.
Related Article: What Colors Can Ferrets Be?
Scientific NameLutra lutraType of AnimalMammalRangeEurope, Asia, and Africa
At first glance, the Eurasian otter may look like a skunk due to its black and white fur.
However, upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that this animal does not have the same coloring pattern as a skunk.
Additionally, Eurasian otters do not produce the foul-smelling fluid that is secreted by skunks.
These creatures are typically found near bodies of water, where they hunt for fish, crabs, and other small animals.
Scientific NameMeles melesType of AnimalMammalRangeBritish Isles, Europe, and Scandinavia
The European badger is a member of the mustelid family, which includes weasels, otters, and wolverines.
Badgers are found throughout Europe and Asia, and they can grow to be about two feet long.
They are stocky animals with short legs and thick fur.
Their coat is usually grey or black with white stripes on their face.
Like skunks, badgers are nocturnal animals and they live in burrows.
Scientific NamePekania pennantiType of AnimalMammalRangeNorth America
Fisher cats are often mistaken for skunks because of their black and white fur.
However, fisher cats are actually a type of weasel.
They are much larger than skunks, with some adults weighing up to 30 pounds.
Fisher cats also do not have the ability to spray a foul-smelling fluid like skunks do.
Scientific NamePteronura brasiliensisType of AnimalMammalRangeSouth America
The giant otter is a large, semiaquatic mammal that is native to South America.
These creatures can grow up to six feet in length and weigh up to 70 pounds.
Giant otters are often mistaken for skunks because of their similar coloration.
Scientific NameArctonyx collarisType of AnimalMammalRangeSoutheast Asia
Also known as the greater stink badger, this animal is found in woodlands and forests throughout Southeast Asia.
It has a black and white striped coat, similar to that of a skunk, but it does not have the ability to spray its predators with a noxious fluid.
9. Honey Badger
9. Honey Badger
Scientific NameMellivora capensisType of AnimalMammalRangesub-Saharan Africa, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and western Asia
The honey badger is a small, carnivorous mammal native to Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.
It is actually a ferocious predator that will eat just about anything it can catch, including snakes, rodents, and even carrion.
Honey badgers are often mistaken for skunks because of their similar black and white coloring.
However, honey badgers lack the distinctive stripes of skunks and have a more rounded body shape.
In addition, honey badgers do not produce the foul-smelling fluid that skunks are known for.
Scientific NameMeles anakumaType of AnimalMammalRangeHonshu, Kyushu, Shikoku, and Shōdoshima
At first glance, the Japanese badger certainly looks like a skunk.
They both have black and white fur, and they’re about the same size.
However, there are some key differences between these two animals.
For one, Japanese badgers don’t have the prominent white stripe that runs down the center of their backs like skunks do.
Additionally, Japanese badgers live in Asia, while skunks are found throughout North and South America.
Javan Ferret-Badger
Javan Ferret-Badger
Scientific NameMelogale orientalisType of AnimalMammalRangeIndonesia
The Javan Ferret-Badger is a member of the Mustelidae family, which includes weasels, otters, and badgers.
It is the size of a large skunk and has similar coloring.
These animals are found in Southeast Asia and spend most of their time in trees.
Scientific NameProcyon lotorType of AnimalMammalRangeNorth America
Raccoons are actually one of the most common animals to be mistaken for skunks.
This is likely because they are both nocturnal animals that have black and white markings on their bodies.
Raccoons have much longer tails than skunks, and their front paws are also noticeably different.
Scientific NameMellivora capensisType of AnimalMammalRangesub-Saharan Africa
Ratel, also known as honey badgers, are some of the most common animals mistaken for skunks.
They are found in Africa and parts of Asia and look very similar to skunks with their black and white fur.
However, ratels do not have the ability to spray a foul-smelling fluid.
Instead, they release a musky smell from their anal glands as a form of self-defense.
Scientific NameAilurus fulgensType of AnimalMammalRangeChina, Nepal, and Bhutan
The red panda is a small mammal that is native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China.
These animals have reddish-brown fur, and their bodies are similar in size to that of a domestic cat.
Red pandas are often mistaken for skunks because of their furry tails and black markings on their faces.
However, red pandas do not have the same type of glands that produce the foul-smelling fluid that skunks do.
Scientific NameHydrictis maculicollisType of AnimalMammalRangecentral Africa
The next animal on our list is the spotted-necked otter.
These animals are found in Africa and parts of Asia, and they look very similar to skunks.
They have a long, slender body with short legs, and their fur is mostly black with white spots on their neck.
Like skunks, they also have a long, bushy tail.
One of the main differences between these two animals is that spotted-necked otters do not have the ability to spray a foul-smelling liquid.
They are also much smaller than skunks, measuring only about 3 feet long.
Scientific NameMustela eversmaniiType of AnimalMammalRangeCentral and Eastern Europe
The steppe polecat is a member of the weasel family and is found in areas of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
They have a black and white coat that is similar in appearance to skunks, but their fur is not as thick.
These animals are also much smaller than skunks, weighing in at only 1-2 pounds.
While steppe polecats do not produce the foul-smelling fluid that skunks are known for, they do have a musky odor that some people find unpleasant.
Scientific NameMustela ermineaType of AnimalMammalRangeNorth America, Europe, and Asia
Stoats certainly resemble skunks.
They are also black and white in coloration, but their stripes are more distinct and they have a long, slender body.
However, one of the main ways to tell these two animals apart is by their tail.
While skunks have a thick, bushy tail, stoats have a much thinner, more rat-like tail.
In addition, stoats are smaller than skunks and their fur is more coarse.
Scientific NameIctonyx striatusType of AnimalMammalRangesub-Saharan Africa
The striped polecat is a species of mustelid that is found in Africa.
These animals have black and white stripes that run along their bodies, much like skunks.
However, unlike skunks, striped polecats do not produce the foul-smelling fluid.
Sunda Stink Badger
Sunda Stink Badger
The Sunda stink badger (Melogale parvula) is a species of mustelid native to Southeast Asia.
Despite its name, it is not closely related to either the American or European stink badgers.
It gets its name from the fact that it produces a foul-smelling fluid when threatened, much like skunks do.
The Sunda stink badger is a small creature, only growing to be about 20 inches long.
It has a black coat with white stripes running down its back.
Scientific NameMustelaType of AnimalMammalRangeTexas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and New Mexico
Weasels are often mistaken for skunks because they share a similar body shape and coloration.
However, weasels do not have the ability to spray their predators with a noxious fluid.
These slim mammals are actually proficient hunters, preying on small animals like rodents and birds.
Weasels can be found in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Scientific NameGulo guloType of AnimalMammalRangeCanada and Alaska
Another animal that looks like a skunk is the wolverine (Gulo gulo).
Both animals are furry with black and white stripes running down their backs.
However, upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that the wolverine’s stripes are actually more of a blotchy pattern and their overall body shape is different.
Wolverines are also much larger than skunks, weighing in at around 30 pounds.
Scientific NameIctonyx striatusType of AnimalMammalRangethe African continent
Zorrilla’s are small, brownish-black animals with stripes running down their backs.
They are found in South America and are related to skunks.
Like skunks, they can release a foul-smelling fluid from their anal glands when threatened.
There are many animals in the world that look like skunks.
Some of these include otters, badgers, weasels, martens, and wolverines.
While they may not spray a smelly liquid to ward off predators or enemies, they still have certain features that make them look very similar to skunks.
Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal.