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Polecat · Field Guide · Things With Wings

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Polecat

Mustela putorius

Not yet photographed by the community

Dark masked mustelid; recovering after near-extinction.

Species Profile

UK Red List (Near Threatened nationally, declining); legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Lifespan: 5–8 years in the wild; up to 14 years in captivity
Size & Weight: 35–45 cm body length; 0.6–2.0 kg, with males larger than females
Habitat: Woodlands, hedgerows, grasslands, wetland margins, and farmland with good cover and nearby water sources.
UK Distribution: Found across Wales and the English Midlands, with scattered populations in southern England and established populations in East Anglia and East England. Largely absent from northern England, Scotland, and Ireland. Resident year-round.
Diet: Carnivorous; hunts small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates; occasionally takes game birds and rabbits.
Prey: Rabbits, hares, voles, shrews, rats, frogs, insects, beetles, earthworms, and ground-nesting birds
Predators: Golden eagles, buzzards, owls, foxes, and occasionally domestic dogs; young kits vulnerable to stoats and larger mustelids
Mating Season: March to May
Breeding: Single annual litter of 5–10 kits born April–June; gestation period approximately 40–43 days; kits weaned at 12–14 weeks and independent by autumn

Sources and editorial status

The short identification summary comes from the Things With Wings species catalogue. The extended species profile is AI-assisted and has not been individually reviewed by a wildlife expert, so verify important identification or conservation details with the specialist sources below.

Profile generated 22 June 2026

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