#0022 · 🦊 mammals

European Polecat

🇳🇱 Bunzing ·Mustela putorius

LCleast concern 🦊 Mammals 📍 in the Netherlands

8 photos from iNaturalist (Creative Commons) · credits & licences

1. © Peter Trimming · CC BY 4.0
2. © Peter Trimming · CC BY 4.0
3. © Kęstutis · CC BY-NC 4.0
4. © Cloudtail the Snow Leopard · CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
5. © Cloudtail the Snow Leopard · CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
6. © hehaden · CC BY-NC 4.0
7. © hehaden · CC BY-NC 4.0
8. © hehaden · CC BY-NC 4.0

what is it?

The European polecat ( Mustela putorius ) — also known as the black or forest polecat , or fitch (as well as some other names) — is a species of mustelid native to western Eurasia and North Africa. It is of a generally dark brown colour, with a pale underbelly and a dark mask across the face. Occasionally, colour mutations, including albinos and erythrists, occur. Compared to minks and other weasels — also fellow members of the genus Mustela — the polecat has...

base stats

NL sightings 64iNaturalist, research grade
worldwide 2,333iNaturalist observations
threat LCleast concern

Bars compare against all animals on log scales: up to 300,000 Dutch and 600,000 worldwide sightings (the most-seen species), 150 t (blue whale), 30 m and 400 years (Greenland shark).

fun facts

Spotted 64 times in the Netherlands on iNaturalist: the #22 most seen of the mammals in NL.
2,333 observations worldwide on iNaturalist.
Scientifically named in 1758 (268 years ago).