Marbled polecat

Marbled polecat
Adult
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Genus: Vormela
Species:
V. peregusna
Binomial name
Vormela peregusna
Subspecies

See text

Marbled polecat range
Synonyms
List
  • Mustela peregusna Güldenstädt, 1770
  • Mustela sarmatica Pallas, 1771
  • Vormela sarmatica Blasius, 1884
  • Vormela koshewnikowi Satunin, 1910
  • Vormela tedshenika Satunin, 1910
  • Vormela negans Miller, 1910

The marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna) is a small mustelid belonging to the subfamily Ictonychinae. It is the only living member of the genus Vormela. Marbled polecats are generally found in the drier areas and grasslands of southeastern Europe to western China. Like other members of the Ictonychinae, it can emit a strong-smelling secretion from anal sacs under the tail when threatened.