Striped polecat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Striped polecat |
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| Taxidermied specimen in the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale Giacomo Doria, Genoa | |
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| Striped polecat range |
The striped polecat (Ictonyx striatus) is a small animal that looks a lot like a skunk. People also call it the African polecat, zoril, or zorilla. The name "zorilla" comes from a Spanish word meaning "little fox" or "skunk."
These animals mostly live in dry, open areas. You can find them in the savannahs of Central, Southern, and sub-Saharan Africa. They avoid very wet places like the Congo basin and coastal parts of West Africa.
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What Does a Striped Polecat Look Like?
Striped polecats are usually about 60 to 70 centimeters (24 to 28 inches) long, including their tails. They stand about 10 to 15 centimeters (4 to 6 inches) tall at the shoulder. They weigh between 0.6 and 1.3 kilograms (1.3 to 2.9 pounds). Male polecats are generally bigger than females.
Their fur color can be a bit different depending on where they live. Usually, they have black fur on their underside and a white tail. They have white stripes that run from their heads down their backs and on their cheeks. Their legs and feet are black.
Their faces often have a special "mask" pattern. This can include a white spot on their heads and white ears. Scientists think these bright patterns act as a warning to other animals. It tells predators to stay away!
What Do Striped Polecats Eat?
Like other animals in the weasel family, the striped polecat is a carnivore. This means it eats meat. It has 34 sharp teeth that are perfect for cutting and grinding food.
Their diet includes many small animals. They eat rodents, snakes, birds, amphibians, and insects. Because they have small stomachs, they need to eat often. They also have strong claws that help them dig in the dirt to find their next meal.
Striped Polecat Lifestyle and Reproduction
The striped polecat is a shy animal that prefers to be alone. They usually only meet other polecats to mate or if they are part of a small family group. They are nocturnal, which means they hunt mostly at night.
During the day, they hide in bushes or sleep in burrows made by other animals. You often find striped polecats in places where there are many large grazing animals. This is because these areas have fewer tall bushes, which polecats prefer.
After mating, the mother polecat is pregnant for about 4 weeks. During this time, she gets a nest ready for her babies. When they are born, the baby polecats are very helpless. They are born blind, deaf, and have no fur. A mother usually has between one and five babies in the summer. She can care for up to six babies if there is enough food, as she has six teats. The mother protects her young until they are old enough to live on their own.
How Do Striped Polecats Defend Themselves?
Striped polecats are quite aggressive and like to keep their own space. They mark their territory with their droppings and by spraying a special liquid from their rear end. This spray is a strong defense against animals that might try to hurt them. It works much like a skunk's spray.
The spray comes from special scent glands. It can temporarily blind their enemies and irritate their eyes and nose. This causes a strong burning feeling. Before spraying, the polecat often takes a threatening pose. It arches its back, points its rear end at the enemy, and holds its tail straight up in the air.
How Do Striped Polecats Communicate?
Striped polecats use many different sounds to talk to each other. They make growling noises to warn predators or other enemies to go away. High-pitched screams mean they are very angry or are about to spray their scent.
A scream that goes from high to low often means an animal is giving up or showing it is not a threat. This sound has been seen when a fight is over. On the other hand, a quieter, wavy sound can mean a friendly greeting. Mating calls are also common between males and females. Young polecats have their own special calls. These sounds can show if they are upset when their mother is gone, or happy when she is nearby.
Images for kids
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A striped polecat's fur.
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