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842 Featured Specimen
European polecat

Details

European polecat

Mustela putorius

Size
35–60 cm · 0.4–1.7 kg
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Sociality
Solitary
Lifespan

European polecat is a European mustelid predator that uses damp woodland edges, fields, and rural landscapes. Hybridization with domestic ferrets and road mortality are local concerns.

Range

Habitat range map
Native range Occasional / Transient
PalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearctic

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It lives in woodland, grassland, riparian strips, farmland, and villages with dense shelter. Main habitat types in this guide are forest, grassland, freshwater, urban.

Appearance

Typical length 35-60 cm, weight 400 g-1.7 kg. A dark body, pale facial mask, and long low build suit movement through holes and cover.

Behavior

It is nocturnal and usually solitary. It follows scent trails on the ground and rests in burrows, stone walls, or sheds.

Feeding

It is carnivorous. Small mammals, frogs, birds, eggs, and carrion are eaten as availability changes.

Reproduction

Litters are born in spring, and young practice hunting movements near the den.

Notes

Although still widespread in places, it remains sensitive to habitat change. Hybridization with domestic ferrets and road mortality are local concerns.