Polecats
| Polecats | ||||||||||||
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European polecat ( Mustela putorius ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Putorius | ||||||||||||
| Cuvier , 1817 |
The polecats form the subgenus Putorius in the genus Mustela , which also includes the weasel and the mink . There are three types:
- European polecat or wood iltis ( Mustela putorius )
- Steppeniltis ( Mustela eversmannii )
- Black-footed piltis ( Mustela nigripes )
The ferret is a domesticated form of polecat that emerged from either the European or the steppe polecat. The Tigeriltis is only distantly related to these animals and is listed in its own genus ( Vormela ).
Polecats have an elongated physique with relatively short limbs. The color of the fur varies from yellow-brown to dark-brown, the mask-like facial drawings are characteristic. The animals reach a head-trunk length of 21 to 56 centimeters, a tail length of 7 to 19 centimeters and a weight of 0.2 to 2.1 kilograms.
Polecats are mainly native to temperate regions of Eurasia and North America. Depending on the species, their habitats are open forests, steppes or grasslands.
Like all martens , they have anal glands that secrete a strong-smelling secretion that is used to mark territory and to ward off enemies.
