Striped & Hooded Skunks (Mephitis mephitis, Mephitis macroura)

  • Status:
  • Where they live (AZ): Brushy desert, riparian corridors, agricultural edges, and even under decks/sheds.
  • Lifespan: Wild ~2–3 years; up to 10–15 in captivity.
  • Sexual maturity: ~1 year.
  • Gestation: 59–66 days.
  • Babies/litter: 4–6 (range 3–8). Litters/year:
  • Weaning: 6–8 weeks; independent by 2–5 months.
  • Problematic status: Considered nuisance around homes, chicken coops, golf courses, and farms; dig for grubs and may spray when disturbed.
Striped Skunk

Raccoon (Procyon lotor)

  • Status:
  • Where they live (AZ): Riparian corridors, canals, orchards, urban parks, and agricultural zones with water.
  • Lifespan: Wild 2–5 years; up to 16+ possible.
  • Sexual maturity: Females ~1 yr; males ~2 yrs.
  • Gestation: 63–65 days.
  • Babies/litter: 2–5 (often 3–4). Litters/year:
  • Weaning: 7–16 weeks; independent ~8–12 months.
  • Problematic status: Nuisance in urban and farm areas—raid crops, trash, and poultry. Also can spread rabies and parasites.
raccoons

Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus)

  • Status: Native (AZ state mammal).
  • Where they live (AZ): Rocky canyon walls, cliffs, riparian corridors, mines, outcrops.
  • Lifespan: Wild ~5–7 years; up to 9+ in captivity.
  • Sexual maturity: ~10–12 months.
  • Gestation: 51–54 days.
  • Babies/litter: 1–4 (avg 2–3). Litters/year:
  • Weaning: 8–10 weeks.
  • Problematic status: Mostly beneficial as predators of rodents/insects; occasionally den in attics or sheds.

White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica)

  • Status: Native (restricted to SE AZ sky islands).
  • Where they live (AZ): Oak-sycamore canyons, riparian woodlands, rocky highlands.
  • Lifespan: Wild ~7–8 years; longer in captivity.
  • Sexual maturity: Females ~2 yrs; males ~3 yrs.
  • Gestation: 70–77 days.
  • Babies/litter: 2–7 (often 3–4). Litters/year:
  • Weaning: ~2–4 months.
  • Problematic status: Locally rare and valued for ecotourism; not considered a pest.