Black polecat, Forest polecat, Fitch, Western polecat, Common polecat
The European polecat (Mustela putorius) is a species of mustelid native to western Eurasia and North Africa. It originated in Western Europe during the Middle Pleistocene, with its closest living relatives being the Steppe polecat, the Black-footed ferret and the European mink. The European polecat is the sole ancestor of the ferret, which was domesticated more than 2,000 years ago for the purpose of hunting vermin.
No
NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
Ca
CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
Te
TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
Al
AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
Vi
ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
Bu
BurrowingA burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct ...
Te
TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
Pr
PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
Po
PolygynyPolygyny is a mating system in which one male lives and mates with multiple females but each female only mates with a single male.
So
SolitaryNo
Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
E
starts withThe winter fur of the European polecat is brownish black or blackish brown, the intensity of which is determined by the colour of the long guard hairs. On the back and flanks, the dark tone is brightened by bright whitish-yellowish, sometimes yellowish-greyish underfur which shows through. The lightly coloured underfur is not equally visible on different parts of the body. On the back and hindquarters, the underfur is almost completely covered by dark guard hairs. On the flanks, though, the lightening is well-defined, and contrasts sharply with the general tone of the back. The throat, lower neck, chest and abdomen are black or blackish brown. The limbs are pure black or black with brown tints, while the tail is black or blackish brown, completely lacking light underfur. The area around and between the eyes is black-brown, with a longitudinal stripe of similar colour along the top of the nose. The ears are dark brown and edged with white. The summer fur is short, sparse and coarse. It is greyer, duller and lacking in the lustre of the winter fur. The underfur is more weakly developed in the summer fur and has a brownish-grey or rusty-grey colour.
European polecats are native to North Africa and western Eurasia. They live in lowland areas, being found in marshes, wooded areas, forest edges, riparian zones, wetlands, shrubland, grasslands, coastal areas, and agricultural land.
Like most mustelids, polecats are solitary creatures. They will defend their territory fiercely, unless a female has young, or is in season. They are primarily nocturnal, though females and their young will forage during the day. In winter polecats are less active, emerging during the day more often than in summer. European polecats have a settled way of life and have definite home ranges, which vary according to habitat, season, gender, and social status. A male will typically have a larger territory than a female. Each individual uses a few den sites throughout its territory. Sometimes abandoned Red fox or European badger burrows are also used. Like other mustelids, European polecats are usually silent animals, though they growl fiercely when angry, and squeak when distressed. They also make a low, mewling cry to their mate or offspring.
European polecats are carnivorous and generally prey on small rodents, birds, amphibians, and reptiles.
European polecats are polygynous, with each male mating with several females. Breeding takes place in winter. One litter per year is usually produced, though, if a litter is lost, a female may give birth a second time that season. 3-7 young are born following 42 days of gestation, and weaning takes place after one month. Mothers care for their offspring until they are about 3 months old and adult-size. European polecats reach reproductive maturity after 1 year of age.
European polecats were pronounced vermin during the time of Elizabeth I and were seen as bloodthirsty animals. Threats today are from accidental trapping, as well as secondary poisoning from rodenticides. Other threats include changes in land use (like hedge removal), road deaths, and crossbreeding with feral species, which threatens their genetic integrity.
No estimate of population size is available for European polecats, but it's believed to be large due to its wide distribution. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC), but its numbers today are decreasing.
Polecats are important in the ecosystems where they live as predators of small mammals.
