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Polecat

For other uses, see Polecat (disambiguation).

Polecat is a common name for several mustelid species in the order Carnivora and subfamilies Ictonychinae^[1] and Mustelinae. Polecats do not form a single taxonomic rank (i.e. clade). The name is applied to several species with broad similarities to European polecats, such as having a dark mask-like marking across the face.

In the United States, the term polecat is sometimes applied to the black-footed ferret, a native member of the Mustelinae. In Southern United States dialect, the term polecat is sometimes used as a colloquial nickname for the skunk, which is part of the family Mephitidae.^[2]

Despite their common name, polecats are related more closely to dogs than to cats.

Taxonomy[edit]

According to the most recent taxonomic scheme proposing eight subfamilies within Mustelidae, polecats are classified as:

Subfamily Ictonychinae

• Genus Ictonyx
  • Striped polecat, I. striatus, (native to Central, Southern, and sub-Saharan Africa)
  • Saharan striped polecat, I. libycus (Sahara)
• Genus Vormela
  • Marbled polecat, V. peregusna (Southeastern Europe to western China)

Subfamily Mustelinae

• Genus Mustela
  • Steppe polecat, M. eversmannii (Central and Eastern Europe, and Central Asia)
  • American polecat (Black-footed ferret) M. nigripes (Southwest United States)
  • European polecat, M. putorius (Western Eurasia and North Africa)

• 
  Striped polecat
• 
  Steppe polecat
• 
  Black-footed ferret, the “American polecat”
• 
  European polecat
• 
  Marbled polecat

See also[edit]

• Polecat–mink hybrid
• Polecat–ferret hybrid

References[edit]

Index of animals with the same common name

This page is an index of articles on animal species (or higher taxonomic groups) with the same common name (vernacular name). If an internal link led you here, you may wish to edit the linking article so that it links directly to the intended article.