Marbled Polecat

One of the most widely distributed small carnivores in Europe and Asia, the European marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna) is a small mustelid with a short muzzle and short, strong limbs with long claws. It is strikingly patterned, with the reddish-brown fur on its back being mottled with irregular lines and patches of yellowish fur. The limbs and underparts of the European marbled polecat are dark brown or blackish, and its head is dark brown with a white band across the forehead. It has a long, hairy tail, which is dark brown with a yellowish band in the middle, and ends in a black tip. The ears of this species are large, rounded and white. During the breeding season the male European marbled polecat undergoes a colour change, with the patches of yellow fur changing to bright orange. Shy and elusive, the European marbled polecat is generally active during the night or at dawn and dusk, with occasional daytime activity having been recorded. Outside of the breeding season it is solitary, using its strong paws and claws to excavate its own burrow in which it spends the day. The European marbled polecat will also use the burrows of other animals, such as large ground squirrels or other rodents . The European marbled polecat is known to travel up to one kilometre each night in search of food, with its prey including rodents, birds, reptiles and invertebrates. It has poor eyesight, and therefore relies mainly on its sense of smell to locate prey. As well as using the typical musteline killing method of biting the base of the prey’s neck to severe the spinal cord, the European marbled polecat also uses alternative methods depending on the prey type. Small prey are killed with a crushing bite to the chest, whereas defensive prey are typically bitten on the throat.