Striped Polecat
Ictonyx striatus
- Class
- Mammal
- Rarity
- Common
- Observations
- 272
- Most observed in
- 🇿🇦 South Africa
- Conservation
- Least Concern
Description
The striped polecat (Ictonyx striatus), also called the African polecat, zoril, zorille, zorilla, African muishond, striped muishond, Cape polecat, and African skunk, is a species of mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa. Despite bearing some resemblance to a skunk (of the family Mephitidae), it belongs in a separate family known as the Mustelidae, and genetic analysis suggests that its closest living relative is the African striped weasel. It is adaptable and lives in a wide range of habitats and elevations, preferring open environments with lower levels of shrubs.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Striped polecat”.