CSULB Mammal Lab Discovers Why Some Skunks Lose Their Stripes

Ted Stankowich, an evolutionary behavioral ecologist and principal investigator at the Mammal Lab in the College of Natural Sciences and Math, spoke with National Geographic about a research study he and his colleagues worked on to understand why some skunks lose their stripes. The researchers found that where more predators exist for skunks the greater the likelihood they will have well-defined stripes to ward off predators. In locations where predators are not as prevalent, skunks will show less or no markings since the stripes aren't as necessary for protection against other animals.