- Striped Polecat
Taxobox
name = Striped Polecat
status = LR/lc | status_system = IUCN2.3
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo =Carnivora
familia =Mustelidae
genus = "Ictonyx"
genus_authority = Kaup, 1835
species = "I. striatus"
binomial = "Ictonyx striatus"
binomial_authority = (Perry, 1810)The Striped Polecat ("Ictonyx striatus", also called the African Polecat, Zoril, Zorille or Zorilla) is a member of the Mustelidae family (weasels) which somewhat resembles a
skunk . It is found in savannahs and open country in southern and west Africa.Like other
polecat s, thiscarnivore is nocturnal. It has several means of avoiding predators - including the ability to emit foul-smelling secretions 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 60 centimeters long including a 20-centimeter tail. It lives for up to 13 years.The Striped Polecat is solitary, tolerating contact with others only to mate. Young are generally born between September and December, with one to three young per litter.
References
* Larivière, Serge (2002). " [http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/VHAYSSEN/msi/default.html Ictonyx striatus] ". "Mammalian Species" (698):1–5.
*
* Nowak, Ronald M. (2005). "Walker's Carnivores of the World". Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press. ISBN 0-8018-8032-7External links
* [http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Ictonyx_striatus.html Ictonyx striatus] on the Animal Diversity Web
* [http://www.animalpicturesarchive.com/animal/EngNames/zorilla.html Image of the polecat] from animalpicturesarchive.com
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