Regarding skunks and breeding, which statement is correct?

Regarding skunks and breeding, which statement is correct?

• A. Skunks breed after two years and have two litters per year
• B. Skunks breed in their first year of life and produce one litter
• C. Skunks never breed in the first year
• D. Skunks breed only once in lifetime

Answer: (B)

Reproductive timing and litter frequency in skunks. Female striped skunks typically become sexually mature within their first year, and a given breeding season usually yields one litter. With a relatively short gestation and spring births, most individuals have just one litter per year. So breeding in the first year of life and producing one litter fits the common pattern. The other scenarios—beyond two years with two litters, never breeding in the first year, or breeding only once in a lifetime—don’t match how skunks typically reproduce.

Reproductive timing and litter frequency in skunks. Female striped skunks typically become sexually mature within their first year, and a given breeding season usually yields one litter. With a relatively short gestation and spring births, most individuals have just one litter per year. So breeding in the first year of life and producing one litter fits the common pattern. The other scenarios—beyond two years with two litters, never breeding in the first year, or breeding only once in a lifetime—don’t match how skunks typically reproduce.