The Western Spotted Skunk (Spilogale gracilis) is a spotted skunk found throughout the western United States, northern Mexico, and southwestern British Columbia. It was once thought to be the same species as the Eastern Spotted Skunk but in fact has a different reproductive cycle. The Western Spotted Skunk is smaller than the striped skunk. There total length is usually 35-55cm. There habitat is mixed woodlands, open areas, and farmlands. They ascend to scare predators. They spray by standing on their forelegs and raising their hindlegs and tail in the air.