The Western Spotted Skunk (Spilogale gracilis) is a species of spotted skunk native to the western United States. They are one of the few skunks able to climb and do a handstand positional warning to tell predators to stay away before they spray. These skunks hunt small mammals, insects, fruits, reptiles, eggs, birds, carrion, frogs, and even snakes. They have an immunity to snake venom and are able to predate upon rattlesnakes like the western diamondback rattlesnake. Spotted skunks are preyed upon by larger carnivores including coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions and ocelots.
Great horned owls are the only animals that regularly eat skunks because like all birds, owls don't have a sense of smell & the skunk's defense doesn't work them.