Striped Polecat
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? Sable |
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| Ictonyx
striatus Kaup, 1835 |
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The Striped Polecat (Ictonyx striatus, also called the African Polecat, Zoril, Zorille or Zorilla) is a member of the weasel family which somewhat resembles a skunk. It is found in savannahs and open country in southern and west Africa.
Like other polecats, this carnivore is nocturnal. It has several means of avoiding predators - including the ability to emit foul-smelling excretions from its anal glands, playing dead and climbing trees. The animal is mainly black but has four prominent white stripes running from the head, along the back to the tail. The Striped Polecat is typically 60cm long including the tail and 40cm excluding. It lives for up to 15 years.