Steppe Polecat
mustela eversmanni
Classification Distribution Physical Characteristics Reproduction Behavior Habitat Conservation Links
Classification:
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
Class Mammalia
Subclass Eutheria
Order Carnivora
Family Mustelidae
Distribution:
The Steppe Polecat lives in the steppe zones of Austria to Manchuria and Tibet.
Physical
Characteristics :
The steppe polecat is a straw yellow to pale brown color with a dark mask across its face. The chest, limbs, groin area, and part of the tail are dark brown to black. Some people believe that he resembles the black-footed ferret . Male polecats are twice the size of female polecats.
Reproduction:
Steppe Polecats breed from March - June. The female builds a nest in trees or in heaps of hay. The nest is lined with feathers, fur, and dried plant matter. They have a two-month gestation period and have 3-8 young.
Behavior:
Steppe polecats have anal scent glands that they use. When they are excited or threatened they releases some of the contents of these glands to warn off their predators. They also use these glands to mark their territory. Since polecats are so long and slender they move with a awkward gait, that is really more beneficial than it looks.
Diet:
Polecats are solitary, nocturnal hunters. They will go out at night and the males will patrol up to 2,000 acres, and the females will patrol lesser acreage. They will go out and hunt for rabbits, small rodents, birds, lizards, frogs, and insects. When hunting for their food polecats move by leaps, constantly changing directions as they search for food.
Habitat:
The steppe polecat prefers open grassland and semi-desert habitats.
Conservation Status:
The steppes polecats used to be hunted for their fur, but now that the fur trade has declined their numbers are rapidly increasing. Their adaptation to human society however has been a factor in polecat deaths. Polecats are often being killed by automobiles, and are being trapped in traps that were set for another type of animal. Local farmers are however welcoming polecats into their farms, because they help keep the rodent population down.
Links
For more information e-mail the Small Carnivore TAG Education Liaison
This page was created by Johanna Frantz, PJC ZooTech Fall 2003