Striped Polecat

The striped polecat, also called the African polecat, zoril, zorille, zorilla, African muishond, or African skunk, is a mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa. Though it resembles a skunk, it belongs to the separate family Mustelidae, and genetic analysis suggests its closest living relative is the African striped weasel. It is adaptable, living across a wide range of habitats and elevations and preferring open environments with fewer shrubs. Adults measure 30 to 38 centimeters in length excluding the tail, with males larger than females, and their fur is mostly black with distinctive white stripes down the back and white patches on the face and tail, though the exact pattern is highly variable.