European Polecat: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Weasels and Badgers · day 7 of 7

Five facts

1. Scientists think the ferret comes from the European polecat alone. People tamed ferrets over 2,000 years ago to hunt pests.
2. Polecats mark their territory with a foul-smelling liquid. Their Latin name putorius means stench or stink.
3. Polecats are mostly quiet, but an angry one growls fiercely and a frightened one squeaks. They also mew softly to mates and young.
4. When frogs and toads are plentiful, a polecat may bite one at the base of its skull to paralyze it and keep it fresh for later.
5. Polecat newborns are blind and deaf and weigh just 9-10 g. By two to three months the kits are independent.

The quiz

1. Which domestic animal descends from the European polecat?

• The cat
• The rabbit
• The ferret (correct)
• The guinea pig

The ferret is believed to descend from the European polecat alone.

2. What does the Latin name putorius mean?

• Stench or stink (correct)
• Fierce hunter
• Night walker
• Small thief

Putorius translates to stench or stink.

3. How does a polecat sound when angered?

• It whistles
• It purrs
• It howls
• It growls fiercely (correct)

Polecats growl fiercely when angered.

4. Where does a polecat sometimes bite frogs and toads to paralyze them?

• On a back leg
• At the base of the skull (correct)
• Across the belly
• On the tip of the nose

A bite where the skull meets the neck paralyzes them, so they stay fresh for later.

5. What are polecat newborns like?

• Blind and deaf (correct)
• Able to run at once
• Fully furred and alert
• Born in pairs only

Newborns weigh just 9-10 g and are blind and deaf.

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