Mammals | Polecat
Polecat
Mustela putorius
Perceived as bloodthirsty animals, polecats were declared vermin during the reign of Elizabeth I and almost hunted to extinction. They have been undergoing a recovery recently and can be found in rural Wales and parts of England. At the Sanctuary we are participating in a breed and release program in collaboration with the British Stud book.
| COMMON NAME | Polecat |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Mustela putorius |
| STATUS | Least Concern |
| DISTRIBUTION | England, Wales & Scotland |
| HABITAT | Woodland, grassland, wetlands & farmland |
| NATURAL DIET | Small rodents, frogs, birds & snakes |
| HEIGHT | 320mm – 450mm |