Striped polecat Ictonyx striatus Least concern
Where the striped polecat lives – recorded in 3 countries, with quick facts from Wikidata and an introduction from Wikipedia.
Pin and shaded countries are approximate. The pin is a representative wild sighting (a central record among 84 open-licence GBIF records), not an official range. Method · Records on GBIF · See weasels, otters, badgers & skunks on the world map
| Scientific name | Ictonyx striatus |
|---|---|
| Group | Weasels, otters, badgers & skunks |
| Status | Least concern (Wikidata, IUCN category label) |
| Found in | 3 countries |
| Continents | Africa |
| Class | Mammal |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Mustelidae |
Where does the striped polecat live?
Open-licence (CC0 / CC BY) wild records published on GBIF place the striped polecat in 3 countries and territories across Africa.
Countries with at least a handful of records (a minimum share of the species’ records, to leave out vagrants and escapes). Records with coordinates only; captive and fossil records excluded.
Is the striped polecat endangered?
The striped polecat’s conservation status recorded in Wikidata is “Least concern” (an IUCN Red List category label). Source: Wikidata.
What kind of animal is the striped polecat?
The striped polecat (Ictonyx striatus) is a mammal in the order Carnivora and the family Mustelidae, genus Ictonyx. (Taxonomy from Wikidata.)
About the striped polecat
The striped polecat (Ictonyx striatus), also called the African polecat, zoril, zorille, zorilla, African muishond, striped muishond, Cape polecat, and African skunk, is a species of mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa. Despite bearing some resemblance to a skunk (of the family Mephitidae), it belongs in a separate family known as the Mustelidae, and genetic analysis suggests that its closest living relative is the African striped weasel. It is adaptable and lives in a wide range of habitats and elevations, preferring open environments with lower levels of shrubs. This species measures 30–38 cm (12–15 in) in length excluding the tail, with males growing larger than females. Its fur is mostly black, with distinctive white stripes running down its back and white patches on its face and tail, though the exact patterning is highly variable.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Striped polecat (revision 1369351249), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Changes: lead section excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Quick facts, taxonomy and status: Wikidata Q226735 (CC0). Countries and pin: GBIF.org occurrence records (CC0 / CC BY 4.0).
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