A nocturnal mammal (family Mephitidae) that is black and white, brown, or cream, always with warning markings. It inhabits woods and fields, but also occurs near human dwellings, feeding on invertebrates it digs from the ground and on garbage (in urban areas). It is renowned for its defensive technique of squirting a foul-smelling secretion with considerable force and precision, but only after warning of its intention. There are four genera of 12 species found throughout the Americas south of southern Canada, and two species in southern Asia and the Philippines.