# European Polecat (*Mustela putorius*)

> 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.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Farmland and woodland of Europe into western Asia.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/european-polecat/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Carnivora
- **Family:** Mustelidae
- **Genus:** Mustela

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Mustela putorius |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Habitat | Farmland, woodland, and wetlands |
| Lifespan | 5–10 years |
| Weight | 0.7–1.5 kg |
| Top speed | up to 20 km/h |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Bandit-masked mustelid

Polecats have dark eye masks, pale muzzles, and rich brown fur. Anal scent glands produce a pungent musk used in defence — the origin of the word 'polecat' as foul-smelling animal.

## Rabbits, rats, and frogs

Rabbits are staple prey where abundant; rodents, birds, eggs, and amphibians supplement the diet. They hunt mainly at night in hedgerows and woodland edges.

## Farmland mosaics of Europe

Western and central Europe into western Russia. Hedgerows, stone walls, and rough pasture provide cover and prey.

## Ferret ancestry and recovery

Least Concern after recovering from persecution and habitat loss. Domestic ferrets derive from polecats; wild populations now expand in some UK counties.

## Frequently asked questions

### Are polecats the same as ferrets?

Ferrets are domesticated descendants of European polecats, bred for hunting and companionship.

### Why do polecats smell bad?

They spray musk from anal glands when threatened — similar to skunks but less potent.

### What do European polecats eat?

Mainly rabbits and rodents, plus birds, eggs, and frogs when available.

### Where do polecats nest?

In burrows of rabbits or other mammals, dry stone walls, and hollow logs.

### Are polecats returning to Britain?

Yes — wild polecats spread west and north after decades of recovery from near extinction.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/european-polecat/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.