FIELD IMMOBILIZATION OF PYGMY SPOTTED SKUNKS FROM MEXICO

We immobilized 21 pygmy spotted skunks (Spilogale pygmaea), in the tro pical deciduous forest at the Chamela Biological Station (Mexico) from October 1994 to May 1997, with a mixture of ketamine (KH) and xylazin e (XH). Skunks were immobilized with a mean (+/-SD) dosage of 15.7 +/- 8.3 mg/kg KH and 8.1 +/- 4.3 mg/kg XH. Mean induction and recovery ti me (n = 21) were 1.7 +/- 1.6 and 34.2 +/- 12.2 min, respectively. One individual was immobilized with XH, induction time was 1 min, and reco very time was 45 min. Foaming salivation was observed in this animal. No other adverse effects were observed for the other animals in this s ample.