Nature Atlas

How Nature Works
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme
Specy

European polecat

Mammals

The European polecat, also known as the black polecat or forest polecat, is a mustelid species occurring across Europe and in the Rif mountains. It is generally dark brown in color, with a pale underbelly and a dark mask across the face, and color mutations including albinos and leucists occasionally occur. Compared with other Mustela species it has a shorter, more compact body, a more powerfully built skull and dentition, and is less agile, and it is well known for its ability to secrete a foul-smelling liquid to mark its territory. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Classification
Diet
Carnivore 1
System (Realm)
Terrestrial 2
Relationship to People
Kept as Pets 3
Living or Extinct
Yes 4
Comparison
NatureServe Rank
G5 Secure 5
CITES Appendix
Not Listed 3
Scientific Name
Mustela putorius 4
Conservation Status
Least Concern 6
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Mustelidae, Taxa
Source European polecat (Wikidata)

In Biome

Steppe, Biomes
Source European polecat (Wikidata)

In Ecosystem

Doñana, Ecosystems
Source Wikidata: European Rabbit
Additional Source Doñana National Park (Wikipedia)Article text
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014)
2. GBIF Species API
GBIF Species APIView the Source
3. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Mustela putorius (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
  • Economic Importance for Humans: Positive Impacts
    Positive Impacts pet trade pet trade body parts are source of valuable material controls pest population
  • Conservation Status: CITES
    CITES No special status
View the Source
4. European polecat (Wikidata)
Wikidata
  • Wikidata Q26582 (P225 taxon name)
  • Statements section, conservation status (P141)
    IUCN Red List conservation status (Wikidata property P141): least concern.
  • Child Taxon Of: Mustelidae, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
  • In Biome: Steppe, Introduction
View the Source
5. NatureServe Explorer: Mustela putorius
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)
Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "G5"
View the Source
6. European polecat (Wikipedia)
Infobox: status
Quote, Infobox: status
LC
View the Source
Doñana National Park (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIn Ecosystem: Doñana, Article text
Quote, In Ecosystem: Doñana, Article text
38 mammal species have been recorded, including twelve species of bat, red deer, European rabbit, European hedgehog, common genet, wildcat, wild boar, Iberian lynx, garden dormouse, Egyptian mongoose, greater white-toothed shrew, Eurasian otter, wood mouse, European polecat, red fox, European badger, Mediterranean pine vole, southwestern water vole and black rat.
View the Source
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.