Polecat • Must See

: Domestic ferrets ( Mustela putorius furo ) are descended from the European polecat. In some regions, dark-furred ferrets are still called polecat-ferrets . Regional Meanings & Slang European Polecat - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

: Their Latin name Mustela putorius translates to "foul-smelling musk bearer," a reference to the pungent liquid they release from anal glands when threatened. This earned them the Middle English name foumart to distinguish them from the "sweet" smelling pine marten. polecat

: Polecats have long, slender bodies with short legs and dark fur. Their most distinctive feature is a facial mask —a pattern of dark and light fur around the eyes that may serve as a warning to predators. : Domestic ferrets ( Mustela putorius furo )

: They are ferocious hunters, capable of taking down rabbits much larger than themselves. Their diet also includes rodents, amphibians, birds, and snakes. This earned them the Middle English name foumart