Preliminary Community Science Results to Estimate Florida Skunk Distribution

Preliminary Community Science Results to Estimate Florida Skunk Distribution

Mike Gillikin*,1 and Darcy Doran-Myers2

1 Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Habitat and Species Conservation, Lake City, FL 32055. 2 Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Gainesville, FL 32601.

*Corresponding and presenting author – [email protected]

Florida does not have recent distribution maps or other indices of Eastern Spotted Skunk conservation status. We are using a community science approach to collect skunk observations with an online survey advertised on state-agency social media platforms. Since December 2020, we collected 590 total observations consisting of 164 spotted skunk, 359 Striped Skunk, and 67 unknown observations. We produced preliminary distribution maps for both species using kernel density estimators and compared them to results from a mail-in community science project completed in 2002. The data tentatively indicate wide distribution for both skunk species but some range limitations and little overlap between species. Results from this project, expected in 2022, will inform future spotted skunk research and management.

You can help biologists learn more about our states’ two skunk species by reporting your sightings at www.MyFWC.com/SkunkSurvey

Learn more about #skunks at www.MyFWC.com/Skunks

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