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Polecat Mustela putorius Length 40-60cm Nocturnal predator, mainly of Rabbits. Likely ancestor of the ferret. Adult has coarse fur, dark brown overall but flanks and belly are paler buff. Face has white marks on either side of nose, and on forehead, and dark ‘mask’ through eyes. Screams and hisses when alarmed. Widespread in Britain a century ago but eradicated in much of region by mid-20th century by human persecution and disappearance of Rabbits due to Myxomatosis. Currently staging a comeback but beware confusion with feral ferrets.
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© PAUL STERRY/Nature Photographers
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3008x2000 / 4.8MB
www.naturephotographers.co.uk
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MAMMALS
Polecat Mustela putorius Length 40-60cm Nocturnal predator, mainly of Rabbits. Likely ancestor of the ferret. Adult has coarse fur, dark brown overall but flanks and belly are paler buff. Face has white marks on either side of nose, and on forehead, and dark ‘mask’ through eyes. Screams and hisses when alarmed. Widespread in Britain a century ago but eradicated in much of region by mid-20th century by human persecution and disappearance of Rabbits due to Myxomatosis. Currently staging a comeback but beware confusion with feral ferrets.