The European Polecat
is a species of small to medium size mustelids that are related to the minks
and weasels found in Europe and some parts of Asia. They have a very long
history in many European cultures, and
have also been domesticated down the ages.
Also known in different names including common ferret, black or forest polecat,
and fitch, they have been frequently made
to a hybrid between other similar species
like steppe polecats, black-footed ferrets, and
the European minks. These animals also have a reputation as pests of poultry,
stealing farm animals, and are often targeted to be killed.
Size: The body length can be anything between 35 and 51 cms (14 – 20 inches).
Weight: They can weigh
between 0.7 and 1.5 kg (1.5 – 3.25 lbs).
Head: The head is
long with a short, blunt face, and small, rounded ears, pair of small, pinkish nose (nostrils), and rounded,
dark eyes. Their mouth bears rows of small but sharp teeth.
Body: The body is
elongated with a somewhat cylindrical shape, while the legs are short.
European Polecat
Tail: The tail is
short and furry with a length between 12 and 19 cm (4.75 – 7.5 inches).
Fur: They have a
semi-dense coat with the hair color being mostly dark brown with white marks around
the muzzle, ears, and eyes, and a pale
underside.
Sexual Dimorphism: Though
the sexes do not display any visible differences, the males can weigh up to
twice as much, as also, almost thrice longer as their female counterparts.
Lifespan
The average longevity of the European polecat in the wild is
6-10 years, and almost 15 years in captivity.
Distribution
The European polecat originated in Western Europe during the
Middle Pleistocene epoch. The present range of this animal is throughout western
Eurasia and the northern parts of Morocco.
Habitat
European polecats inhabit lowland areas including marshes, sand dunes, wooded areas, riverbanks, sea cliffs, and forest plantations.
European Polecat Habitat
European Polecat Size
Classification of Species
Seven subspecies of the European polecat has been described,
as of 2005, which include common polecat, Welsh polecat, Mediterranean polecat,
Scottish polecat, Middle Russian polecat, Carpathian polecat, and the Domestic
ferret.
Behavior
Polecats are solitary creatures with a territorial home
range averaging to around 100 hectares. This,
however, varies depending on the availability of food and the seasons. They
will defend their territories from both the sexes
unless a female has a litter or it’s the mating season.
They are mostly nocturnal except for females with young that
have been seen foraging even in the day. However, during winter, they are
generally less active and are often seen
moving in the wild in warm sunlight.
The sense of vision of these polecats is not very strong and they mostly depend on their sense of smell for
locating and killing the prey. While hunting, they stalk the prey, and when
they manage to reach the animal, they kill it with a swift bite to the prey’s neck.
Diet
European polecats are mostly carnivorous and usually live on
rodents and rabbits, as well as eggs, birds, amphibians, and carrion. However,
if food becomes scarce, they would also consume insects and fruits.
European Polecat Picture
European Polecat Image
Reproduction & Life Cycle
The mating season of these polecats falls between March and
May. While copulating, the male grabs the female by the neck, dragging the
latter forward and backward, as long as it does not become limp. Soon after
this, the actual process of mating occurs.
This animal can breed only once a year. After a gestation
period of 40 – 42 days, the females produce a litter of typically 3-7 offspring in
late May or early June. Occasionally, color mutations, including albinos and erythrists, do occur.
Initially, the European polecat kits are nursed by the mother, as well as protected from dangers. When
the baby polecats reach four months of
age, they begin to disperse to other areas in
order to find their own
territories. It takes almost one year for the juveniles to attain the age of
sexual maturity.
Adaptations
Their contrasting body
color helps them camouflage easily
in the varied environments they live in, including marshes, forests, and the desert
regions.
Their strong sense of
smell is actually a natural ability
to compensate for their low vision.
Predators
Humans are the primary predator of the European Polecats,
hunting them mostly for their fur in the wild.
Conservation Status
Owing to their vast
population and wide range, the European polecat has been declared as
‘LC’ (Least Concern) by the IUCN 3.1.
The European Polecat
Picture of a European Polecat
Interesting Facts
Name ‘polecat’ is said to
have originated from the French phrase ‘poule chat’, meaning “the chicken cat”, a name that refers to their fondness for hunting and
eating chickens from farms.
According to the Owen’s
Welsh Dictionary, the early Irish settlers in northern Wales, known as the
‘Gwythelians’, kept polecats as
pets.
During the Elizabethan
period, the name ‘Polecat’ was used to refer to vagabonds.
These creatures became
synonymous with promiscuity in early English literature.
During the reign of
Elizabeth I, these animals were perceived as bloodthirsty animals and were declared as vermin.
