{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "european-polecat",
  "name": "European Polecat",
  "scientificName": "Mustela putorius",
  "category": "Mammal",
  "summary": "The European polecat (Mustela putorius) is a dark-masked mustelid ancestor of the domestic ferret, hunting rabbits and rodents across European farmland. Adults weigh about 1 kg and are listed Least Concern.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Mammalia",
    "order": "Carnivora",
    "family": "Mustelidae",
    "genus": "Mustela"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 1,
    "lengthM": 0.45,
    "topSpeedKmh": 20,
    "lifespanYears": 8
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Mustela putorius"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Carnivore"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Farmland, woodland, and wetlands"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "5–10 years"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "0.7–1.5 kg"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "up to 20 km/h"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Farmland and woodland of Europe into western Asia.",
    "continents": [
      "Europe",
      "Asia"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/european-polecat/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/european-polecat/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}