The striped polecat (Ictonyx striatus), also called the African polecat, zoril, zorille, zorilla, Cape polecat, and African skunk, is a member of the family Mustelidae that resembles a skunk (of the family Mephitidae).[1] The name "zorilla" comes from the Spanish word "zorillo", meaning "skunk", itself a diminutive form of the Spanish "zorro," "fox." It lives predominantly in dry and arid climates, such as the savannahs and open country of Central, Southern, and sub-Saharan Africa, excluding the Congo basin and the more coastal areas of West Africa.[2]
Striped polecats are about 60cm–70cmcm (20inches–30inchescm) in length, including their tails, and 10cm–15cmcm (00inches–06inchescm) tall to the shoulders on average. They weigh from 0.6kgto1.3kgkg (01.3lbto02.9lbkg), generally, with the males being the larger of the two sexes.[2] Their specific coloring varies by location. Generally they are black on the underside, white on the tail, with stripes running from their heads down their backs and on their cheeks. The legs and feet are black. Their skulls are usually around 56mm long, and they have unique face-mask coloring, often including a white spot on their heads, and white ears.[3] [4] These masks are thought to serve as warnings to potential predators or other antagonists.[5]
Like other mustelids, the striped polecat is a carnivore. It has 34 sharp teeth which are optimal for shearing flesh and grinding meat. Its diet includes various small rodents, snakes, birds, amphibians, and insects.[6] Due to their small stomachs, they must eat often, and have clawed paws that help them dig around in the dirt in pursuit of their next meal.[1] [7]
The striped polecat is a solitary creature, often only associating with other members of its species in small family groups or for the purpose of breeding. It is nocturnal, hunting mostly at night.[1] During the day, it burrows into the brush or sleeps in the burrows of other animals.[8] Most often, striped polecats are found in habitats with large ungulate populations, because of the lower level of shrubs where these grazers occur.[2] [9]
After conception, the gestation period for a striped polecat is about 4 weeks. During this time, the mother prepares a nest for her offspring. The newborn polecats are completely vulnerable; they are born blind, deaf, and naked.[10] Around one to five offspring are born per litter in the summer. Up to six can be supported at one time, if food is available, because the mother has six teats.[11] The mother protects her young until they are able to survive on their own.[8]
The striped polecat is an aggressive and very territorial animal. It marks its territory with its feces and through an anal spray.[12] The spray serves as a defense against predators, in a similar manner to skunks. The spray, released by anal stink glands, temporarily blinds their adversaries and irritates the mucous membranes, resulting in an intense burning sensation.[13] Before spraying the opponent with this noxious fluid, the striped polecat often takes a deimatic (threat) stance with its back arched, rear end facing the opponent, and tail straight up in the air.[8]
Striped polecats have been known to communicate with each other using myriad verbal signals and calls. Growls act as a warning to possible predators, competitors, or other enemies to back off. High-pitched screams have been observed as signifying situations of high aggression or accompanying the spraying of anal emissions. An undulating high- to low-pitched scream has been used to convey surrender or submission to an adversary. This call has been noted to accompany the subsequent release of the loser. Conversely, a quieter undulating call has been interpreted as functioning as a friendly salutation. Mating calls are common forms of communication between the sexes. Young polecats often have a specific set of calls and signals, used in adolescence, either signifying distress or joy depending on if the mother is absent or present.[14] [15]