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What the sources say

European PolecatMustela putorius

Every figure, record and mechanism on the European Polecat profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 37 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

Profile updated

Source
01

Vincent Wildlife Trust

Polecat. Vincent Wildlife Trust.

The page saysFarmland hedgerows, marshes, riverbanks and woodland edges in lowland Europe
The source saysPolecats prefer lowland habitats, such as farmlands, woodlands, marshes and riverbanks.Note: hedgerows and woodland edges: vwt-polecat also says "more numerous in lowland landscapes with hedgerows and woodland edges"
The page saysfrom Britain and Portugal east to the Ural Mountains
The source saysPolecats have a wide distribution across Europe, from Britain and Portugal in the west to the Ural Mountains of Russia in the east, but they have never been found in Ireland.
The page saysMostly rabbits, plus rats, small mammals, birds, amphibians, eggs and insects
The source saysMostly wild rabbits but also rats, small mammals, amphibians, birds and earthworms.Note: eggs and insects also in ADW's Animal Foods list (birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, eggs, insects)
The page saysA European polecat has a long, slim body on short legs
The source saysThe polecat has a long slim body, with short legs and is slightly larger than a domestic ferret.
The page saysmales measure 33 to 45 centimetres and females 32 to 39, plus a 12 to 19 centimetre tail
The source saysSize: Males 33-45cm, females 32-39cm; tail length: 12-19cm.
The page saysmales weigh around 0.8 to 1.9 kilograms against females at 0.5 to 1.1
The source saysWeight: Males weigh around 0.8-1.9kg, females 0.5-1.1kg.
The page saysA raccoon-like dark mask crosses its eyes between pale cheek patches and a pale muzzle
The source saysIt has a distinctive 'mask' of dark fur across its eyes. Paler cheek patches should contrast against the dark facial mask, and the fur around the muzzle is also paleNote: "raccoon-like" is ADW's: "Polecats have a raccoon-like dark mask around their eyes"
The page saysa paler buff undercoat shows through the darker hairs on its body
The source saysTrue polecats have dark fur, with a paler buff coloured undercoat that shows through the darker hairs on the body.
The page saysIts domesticated descendant, the ferret, is slightly smaller
The source saysThe polecat has a long slim body, with short legs and is slightly larger than a domestic ferret.Note: "domesticated descendant" is ADW's: "Their domesticated descendant, the household ferret"
The page saysIn summer, rabbits are a major food source, and a polecat is slender enough to hunt them inside their burrows; in winter, rats become a favoured food
The source saysIn summer, rabbits are a major food source, and polecats are slender enough to hunt them within their burrows. In winter, rats become a favoured food and sites with good rat populations become usual habitats.
The page saysA polecat may squeeze through a gap as small as 4 centimetres
The source saysPolecats may squeeze through gaps as small as 4cm
The page saysThe domestic ferret originates from the European polecat, and the two can still interbreed, producing fertile hybrids known as polecat-ferrets. Hybrids often have paler fur and faded facial markings
The source saysThe domestic ferret originates from the polecat and the two can interbreed producing fertile hybrid offspring, known as polecat-ferrets. Hybrids often have paler fur and faded facial markings.
The page saysSlender enough to hunt rabbits inside their burrows
The source sayspolecats are slender enough to hunt them within their burrowsNote: vibe.reason (settle #880)
The page saysa polecat can squeeze through a gap as small as 4 centimetres
The source saysPolecats may squeeze through gaps as small as 4cmNote: vibe.reason (settle #880)

Source
02

Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan

Mustela putorius (European polecat). Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan.

The page saysA masked mustelid that releases a strong-smelling secretion when threatened
The source saysPolecats have a raccoon-like dark mask around their eyes, surrounded by a white face accented with white-tipped ears. Like all mustelids, polecats have a pair of anal glands that emit a strong-smelling secretion. When polecats are excited or threatened they release some of the contents of these glands.Note: tagline
The page saysgrips so tenaciously it can be lifted by whatever is in its teeth
The source saysThis gives the mustelids their amazing tenacity of grip during fights, hunting, and play. Polecats and ferrets can be lifted and suspended by whatever they are gripping with their teeth.Note: tagline; "so tenaciously" restates ADW's "amazing tenacity of grip", and the lifting is ADW's own sentence
The page saysA key-lock jaw hinge whose grip is tenacious enough that it can be lifted and suspended by whatever it holds in its teeth, backed by a strong-smelling secretion from its anal glands when threatened
The source sayspolecats display a "key-lock" formation of the jaw, where the articulation between the dentary and the rest of the skull is nearly sealed off into a permanent hinge and is very difficult to separate even after death. This gives the mustelids their amazing tenacity of grip during fights, hunting, and play. Polecats and ferrets can be lifted and suspended by whatever they are gripping with their teeth.Note: stats.superpower; the secretion half is the tagline's quote
The page saysPolecats are primarily nocturnal
The source saysThey are primarily nocturnal although females with young have been known to forage during the day.
The page saysBirds, eggs, amphibians and reptiles are on the menu too
The source saysAnimal Foods birds mammals amphibians reptiles eggs insects terrestrial non-insect arthropods
The page saysand when food is scarce, insects and fruit
The source saysShould food become scarce, polecats also eat insects and fruit
The page saysLike other mustelids, a polecat has a "key-lock" jaw: the hinge between the lower jaw and the skull is nearly sealed into a permanent joint, very difficult to separate even after death
The source saysLike these other mustelids, polecats display a "key-lock" formation of the jaw, where the articulation between the dentary and the rest of the skull is nearly sealed off into a permanent hinge and is very difficult to separate even after death.Note: the dentary is the lower jaw
The page saysIt gives mustelids their tenacious grip, and polecats and ferrets can be lifted and suspended by whatever they are gripping with their teeth
The source saysThis gives the mustelids their amazing tenacity of grip during fights, hunting, and play. Polecats and ferrets can be lifted and suspended by whatever they are gripping with their teeth.
The page saysLike all mustelids, a polecat has a pair of anal glands that emit a strong-smelling secretion, and it releases some of it when excited or threatened
The source saysLike all mustelids, polecats have a pair of anal glands that emit a strong-smelling secretion. When polecats are excited or threatened they release some of the contents of these glands.
The page saysTwo anal glands, a feature all mustelids share. An excited or threatened polecat releases some of their strong-smelling contents
The source saysLike all mustelids, polecats have a pair of anal glands that emit a strong-smelling secretion. When polecats are excited or threatened they release some of the contents of these glands.

Source
03

AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database

Mustela putorius. AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database.

The page saysIn the wild a polecat lives about five to six years. One captive polecat lived 11.1 years, and anecdotal reports of 14 years in captivity remain unconfirmed
The source saysIn the wild, these animals live about 5-6 years [ 0434 ]. One captive specimen lived 11.1 years [ 0671 ]. Anecdotal reports that these animals live up to 14 years in captivity remain unconfirmed [ 0001 ].
The page saysweightKg: 0.8
The source saysAdult weight 809 gNote: battleStats (settle #880)

Source
04

Lodé 2001

Lodé (2001). Mating system and genetic variance in a polygynous mustelid, the European polecat. Genes & Genetic Systems.

The page saysPolecats show the strongest sexual dimorphism among mustelids, a gap that may come from strong mating competition among males
The source saysThe polecat displays the strongest sexual dimorphism among mustelids and this dimorphism may be attributed to a strong mating competition among males (Poole, 1974)

Source
05

Poole 1972

Poole (1972). Some behavioural differences between the European polecat, Mustela putorius, the ferret, M. furo, and their hybrids. Journal of Zoology.

The page saysA 1972 study of tame polecats, ferrets and their hybrids found that ferrets do not develop a fear of people. Hybrids did, like polecats, if left with their mother between 7½ and 8½ weeks of age
The source saysThe animals used in this study were tame M. putorius, M. furo , wild caught hybrids and laboratory reared F 1 hybrids between the two species. Ferrets differed in their behaviour in unfamiliar environments and in the fact that they do not develop fear of man. The F 1 hybrids resembled M. putorius in that they develop a fear of man if left with their mother during a critical period between 7½ and 8½ weeks of age.Note: 1972 is the paper's publication year (bibliographic metadata), not a word in the abstract
The page saysPolecats and hybrids also habituated to a rustling noise more rapidly than ferrets
The source saysThe attention response to a rustling noise was investigated under controlled conditions revealing differences in response decrement between the four types of polecat. M. putorius and the hybrids habituated more rapidly to the sound than did the ferrets.

Source
06

Lodé et al. 2004

Lodé et al. (2004). Sex–biased predation by polecats influences the mating system of frogs. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences.

The page saysPolecats don't hunt frogs at random. Studying agile frogs at their breeding ponds, researchers found that polecats preyed selectively on males
The source saysIn agile frogs, Rana dalmatina, an increase in male-biased operational sex ratio and in male abundance results in the emergence of alternative male mating behaviour in the form of searching. As a consequence, females are coerced into mating with multiple males, which in turn increases the level of conflict between the sexes. Selective predation on males by the European polecat, Mustela putorius, decreases the occurrence of polyandry.Note: "breeding ponds": the abstract compares ponds by mating behaviour
The page saysIn ponds visited by polecats the sex ratio was less male-biased, fewer males actively searched for females, and females could choose between calling males and mate with just one, instead of being coerced into mating with several
The source saysfemales are coerced into mating with multiple males, which in turn increases the level of conflict between the sexes. Selective predation on males by the European polecat, Mustela putorius, decreases the occurrence of polyandry. In ponds visited by polecats, the sex ratio is less male biased than in ponds where polecats are absent. As a result most males call to attract females and fewer males actively search for females. Females are able to choose between calling males and mate with a single male.
The page saysPolecats preyed selectively on males, and ponds they visited saw less polyandry, where one female mates with several males
The source saysfemales are coerced into mating with multiple males, which in turn increases the level of conflict between the sexes. Selective predation on males by the European polecat, Mustela putorius, decreases the occurrence of polyandry.Note: "one female mates with several males" defines polyandry from the abstract's own "mating with multiple males"

Source
07

Osinga, Thurfjell & Hofmeester 2022

Osinga, Thurfjell & Hofmeester (2022). Snow limits polecat Mustela putorius distribution in Sweden. Wildlife Biology.

The page saysseems held back from northern Sweden by snow
The source saysThe number of snow days was the most important factor, negatively determining habitat suitability for polecats, as expected. Consequently, the predictions showed an increase in suitable habitat both in the current distribution range and in northern Sweden, especially along the coast of the Baltic Sea. Our results suggest that the polecat distribution is limited by snowNote: tagline; "seems" carries the source's "suggest"
The page saysPolecats occur over large parts of Europe, but their northern range limit lies in southern Fennoscandia, and what sets that limit was unknown
The source saysoccurs over large parts of Europe with its northern range limit in southern Fennoscandia. However, it is to date unknown what factors limit polecat distribution.
The page saysA 2022 study tested whether climate or land-use factors matter more for polecat habitat in Sweden and found the number of snow days each year was the most important: more snow, less suitable habitat
The source saysWe thus investigated whether climate or land‐use variables are more important in determining the habitat suitability for polecats in Sweden. We hypothesized that 1) climatic factors, especially the yearly number of snow days, drive habitat suitability for polecats, and that, 2) as the number of snow days is predicted to decline in the near future, habitat suitability in northern Sweden will increase. We used a combination of sightings data and a selection of national maps of environmental factors to test these hypotheses using Maxent models. We also used maps of future climate predictions (2021–2050 and 2063–2098) to predict future habitat suitability. The number of snow days was the most important factor, negatively determining habitat suitability for polecats, as expected.Note: 2022 is the paper's publication year (bibliographic metadata, from the cite command), not a word in the abstract
The page saysHow snow limits polecats is still poorly understood, but the authors suggest shrinking snow cover will likely push the range north. That might raise Scandinavia's polecat numbers, in contrast to many populations elsewhere in Europe, where numbers are declining
The source saysOur results suggest that the polecat distribution is limited by snow and that reduced snow cover will likely result in a northward range expansion. However, the exact mechanisms for how snow limits polecats are still poorly understood. The potential range expansion might result in a population increase of the Scandinavian polecat population, in contrast to many populations elsewhere in Europe, where numbers are declining.

Source
08

Fernandes & Kranz 2025

Fernandes & Kranz (2025). Mustela putorius. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2025: e.T41658A215860613.

The page saysLeast Concern
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Least Concern (LC).

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.