1 MAMMALIA • 2004 • 68 (1) © Publications Scientifiques du Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris. www.mammalia.com Observation of threat behaviour by a pygmy skunk (Spilogale pygmaea) in Jalisco, Mexico Lisette CANTÚ-SALAZAR Mircea G. HIDALGO-MIHART Instituto de Ecología, A.C. Departamento de Ecología y Comportamiento Animal km 2.5 Carretera antigua a Coatepec No. 351 Congregación El Haya, A.P. 63 Xalapa 91070 Veracruz (México) +52(228)8164800 ext. 4109 cantu@ecologia.edu.mx Erin C. FERNANDEZ 4203 Rueda Dr., San Diego, California, 92124, USA (ECF) Cantú-Salazar L., Hidalgo-Mihart M. G. & Fernandez E. C. 2004. – Observation of threat behaviour by a pygmy skunk (Spilogale pygmaea) in Jalisco, Mexico. Mammalia 68 (1) : •••-•••. Skunks (Mephitidae:Carnivora) have well-devel- oped anal scent glands that emit a powerful secre- tion, used as an antipredator device. Species that are chemically protected against predation often advertise their noxiousness through visual, audi- tory, or olfactory warnings (Eisner & Grant 1981), which are referred as aposematism. Skunks are aposematically coloured, and in addi- tion to their white and black colour pattern, they may perform behaviours to identify themselves to potential predators (Larivière & Messier 1996). The defensive behaviour of some skunks species (Spilogale putorius, S. gracilis, Conepatus spp. and Mephitis spp.) may include erecting the tail, stomping the ground with the front feet, shuf- fling backwards after stomping, hissing, clicking teeth, screeching, charging, biting, handstanding, fleeing, hiding, denning, aiming, and as a last resort, spraying (e.g., Cuyler 1924, Laun 1962, Verts 1967). For spotted skunks (S. gracilis and S. putorius), the handstand is the most recognized defence behaviour (Howell 1920, Johnson 1921, Walker 1930, Manaro 1961). It consists of run- ning at an opponent, stopping abruptly, and ele- vating the hindquarters with the feet spread apart so that the skunk balances on its forepaws. From this position the everted anal gland openings are directed toward the opponent (Johnson 1921). 09_CANTU 14/05/04 13:19 Page 1 PROOF