Striped Polecat, Zorilla

The striped polecat, also known by various names such as the African polecat, zoril, zorille, zorilla, Cape polecat, and African skunk, is a member of the Mustelidae family and closely resembles a skunk. These intriguing creatures inhabit dry and arid regions, including savannahs across Central, Southern, and sub-Saharan Africa.

Measuring approximately 60-70 cm in length and weighing between 0.6 and 1.3 kg, males are typically larger than females. Their fur showcases a striking mix of black and white, with black undersides, white tails, and distinctive stripes running along their backs and cheeks. They also have black legs and feet, along with unique facial markings that make them easily identifiable.

Striped polecats are carnivores with a diverse diet comprising small rodents, snakes, birds, amphibians, and insects. They possess sharp teeth ideal for consuming meat and clawed paws that aid them in digging for food.

These animals are solitary and primarily nocturnal, preferring to hunt at night and spend their days safely burrowed underground. They usually only come together for breeding. They thrive in areas abundant with large ungulates. Female polecats have a gestation period of about four weeks and give birth to litters of 1-5 offspring. The young are born blind, deaf, and hairless, relying entirely on their mother until they become self-sufficient.

Striped polecats are highly territorial and have a distinctive defense mechanism—they can spray a foul-smelling liquid from their anal glands, similar to skunks. They communicate through a variety of vocalizations, including growls, screams, and calls, which can signal warnings, aggression, submission, or mating readiness. Young polecats have specific calls to express different needs and situations as they grow.