Polecat is a common name for several cat-like mustelid species in the subfamilies Ictonychinae [1] and Mustelinae. Polecats do not form a single taxonomic rank (i.e. clade).

polecat, any of several weasellike carnivores of the family Mustelidae (which includes the weasel, skunk, mink, otter, and others).

Aug 26, 2025 · The American black-footed ferret ( Mustela nigripes ), often referred to as a polecat in North America, is a highly endangered species native to the central grasslands of the United States. …

Nov 10, 2025 · The term polecat refers to a group of carnivorous mammals belonging to the Mustelidae family, which also includes weasels, badgers, and otters. They are characterized by their long, …

Polecats are slender-bodied with short legs, dark fur (often brown or black), and lighter facial markings. They look similar to ferrets, and in fact, the domestic ferret was bred from the European polecat. …

May 27, 2024 · The term polecat is an umbrella description which covers a diverse number of mustelids which generally share similar characteristics such as a mask, long, narrow bodies, short legs, …

Polecats are solitary in nature, nocturnal and active throughout the year. They emit a pungent musky odour from scent glands located at the base of their tails to mark their territory and particularly when …

The domesticated form of the Polecat is the Ferret which occur in a range of colours, but often look very similar to wild Polecats. Additionally, there are many Polecat/Ferret hybrids now at large making …

The meaning of POLECAT is any of several carnivorous mammals (as of the genera Mustela or Vormela) of the weasel family; especially : a brown to black European mammal (M. putorius) from …

Aug 15, 2025 · What is a polecat? The polecat is part of Mustela genus, also known as the weasel family, which is part of the Mustelidae family. In Britain, there are a number of species in this family, …