European Polecat

“The European polecat can interbreed with ferrets.”

The European polecat is a small, slender mammal that is related to weasels, ferrets, and minks. Despite its diminutive size, it is a swift, fierce predator. The European polecat is native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Once considered vermin and hunted to near extinction, the European polecat now enjoys a healthy population in most of its former range.

4 Incredible European Polecat Facts!

• The polecat is the ancestor of the domestic ferret.
• Its fur changes to a silver-gray color in winter.
• Like a raccoon, it has a “bandit mask” on its face.
• The polecat uses its strong smell as a defense.

Scientific Name

The European polecat’s scientific name is Mustela putorius. The name polecat comes from the French term “poule chat,” which means “chicken cat.” The term refers to the fact that polecats would sometimes raid chicken coops for eggs and chicks.

Appearance

The polecat has a slender body, short legs, and a wide head. Small ears, a round nose, and bright eyes give this little guy an adorable look, but don’t be fooled. The polecat is a fierce fighter who will defend itself aggressively.

The polecat has thick, glossy fur. Its colors are mostly deep brown to black with red patches and a yellow underbelly. It usually has a white patch around its nose and a raccoon-like mask around its eyes. One chief way to make the identification of a polecat is the way its fur changes. In summer, the fur gets lighter and thinner. In winter, the polecat’s coat gets thicker and shades to a silvery gray color.

Compared to other members of the mustelid family, the polecat has exceptionally large, sharp teeth.

Behavior

The European polecat is a solitary, nocturnal hunter. Some female polecats and young polecats may look for food in the daytime, but adults and males prefer to hunt at night. The polecat sets up a range of territory that it uses as a hunting ground. The size of this personal habitat can range from a small plot of land to a large spread that includes several dens. Some polecats use the abandoned dens of foxes and badgers instead of building their own.

Despite this, the polecat is not strongly territorial. A polecat will often share its territory with other polecats, and it usually doesn’t mark its habitat with scent.

A polecat is a quiet animal with few vocalizations. It may growl or squeak when frightened.

Habitat

The European polecat prefers to live near water sources. It can often be found near marshes, riverbanks, dunes, and coastal cliffs. Being close to water increases its food supply.

Polecats are adaptable animals that can be found in wetlands, grasslands, agricultural land, prairies, and forests. European polecats use hedgerows for shelter and navigation. They also prefer to use existing nests rather than build their own.

Diet

The polecat is a carnivore that eats voles, mice, and other rodents. It also eats lizards, frogs, and birds. If it can’t find its preferred prey, a polecat may supplement its diet with fruit and insects.

A polecat’s diet can vary greatly. It changes according to what is available and the time of year. Scientists have seen European polecats eating the following:

• Rats and other rodents
• Voles
• Frogs and toads
• Birds, including partridges, quail, and grouse
• Rabbits and hares
• Lizards

Predators and Threats

Despite its small size, the polecat can defend itself from larger predators. It uses its anal glands to produce a strong, unpleasant smell that wards off many predators. Large carnivores usually leave polecats alone for that reason.

Most polecats are killed by cars. Other threats are habitat loss, especially hedge removal when forests are cleared. Polecats are sometimes trapped accidentally or poisoned by preying on rodents who have eaten poisons.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

The polecat’s breeding season is in winter. Polecats are polygamous, and both males and females reproduce with several mates. They reach sexual maturity when they’re a year old. There is no courtship or mating ritual. A male grabs a female by the neck and copulates with her.

Male polecats are known as hobs, and females are known as jills. A pregnant female incubates the babies for 42 days and then gives birth to a litter of three to seven kits. The mothers feed and care for the kits until they are about 3 months old. Mother polecats are extremely protective of their young and will defend them aggressively against intruders.

European polecats have a lifespan of six to 14 years in the wild. Their lifespan in captivity may be longer.

Population

Because of its extensive range of distribution, exact population numbers are unknown, but conservationists are concerned that the polecat’s population is decreasing.

Conservation Status

The European polecat is listed as “least concern” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It enjoys protected status in the United Kingdom.

In the past century, polecats were considered vermin and were routinely killed by gamekeepers and farmers. That led to the near extinction of this species. Today, polecats have recovered their population numbers. Many people now appreciate their help in controlling rat populations. In the United Kingdom, they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and are a priority species under the U.K. Biodiversity Framework.

Masked Mustelid

The European polecat was once hunted as vermin. Today, farmers and gamekeepers appreciate the polecat’s help in controlling rodent populations. This masked bandit has recovered from the brink of extinction and now has a stable population.

1. BBC Wildlife, Available here: https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/mammals/facts-about-polecats/
2. The Wildlife Trusts, Available here: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/mammals/polecat
3. The Vincent Wildlife Trusts, Available here: https://www.vwt.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/polecat-leaflet.pdf