Scientific name : Mustela putorius
Family : Mustelidae
Native to : Asia, Europe, Russia and UK
Interesting fact : It is usually mistaken for a skunk or ferret.
Conservation status : Least Concern
They have blackish guard hair and yellow under fur on their bodies, giving ‘black-and-tan’ appearance, pale muzzles, ear tips and eyebrows, with broad dark bands around the eyes along with darker legs and bellies, and short fluffy tails. They measure 32-45 cm, have 12-19 cm long tails, weigh 0.5-1.9 kg and have a life span of 14 years in captivity and 5 in the wild. The polecat has one litter of 5-10 young a year following a gestation period of 40-43 days.
