Striped Polecat
The Striped Polecat are close relatives of the African weasel. They are close relatives of the African weasel but differs in that it is larger, the coat hairs are longer, and that it has three characteristic white dots on the head. Head and body length is about 350 mm as an adult, with a 200 mm tail. Weighs between 640 and 1000 gr. The pelage of the upper parts of the body is black and white striped, with long hair. Top of the head and rest of the body is black. There are three white spots on the head, one situated in the center of the head and one above each eye. They have bushy tails.
Diet:
Feeds mainly on rodents, but almost any small animal prey such as snakes, lizards, scorpions, spiders, centipedes and insects may be eaten. While foraging the polecat also pushes its snout into soft soil or plant litter to locate invertebrates.
Breeding:
Breeding season extends from spring to early summer, only one litter consisting of one to three altricial young are born per season. Gestation period is 36 days. Copulation can last 60-100 minutes. The canine teeth of young appear at 33 days and the eyes open at 40 days. Subadults are able to kill small rodents at nine weeks, and young are fully grown by 20 weeks of age. Except when mating, both adult males and females occur singly. Female and young of the year remain together until her young are almost fully grown. At present it is not known whether this species, like the African weasel, is territorial.
Habitat:
Inhabits a wide variety of habitats, except dense, evergreen forests.
Where they are found:
Distributed widely and is fairly common throughout Southern Africa to as far north as Central Africa.
Vital Statistics:
Weight:
(Female)
596 – 880 g
Weight (Male)
681 – 1460 g
Length:
(Female)
63 cm
(Male)
63 cm
Gestation Period:
5 – 6 weeks
No of Young:
1 – 3
Birth Weight:
12 g
Order:
Carnivora
Family:
Mustelidae
Breeding:
1 – 3 young are born from October – March after a gestation period of 5 – 6 weeks
