The Striped Polecat, Ictonyx striatus, is a carnivorous mammal that resembles a skunk; it is also called African polecat, zoril, zorilla, and African skunk. The species lives in dry and arid climates like the savannahs and the open country of Central, Southern, and sub-Saharan Africa. Physically the striped polecats’ specific coloring varies by its location, but usually, they are black on the underside, white on the tail, and have stripes running from their heads down their back and on their cheeks. Its diet includes small rodents, snakes, birds, amphibians, and insects, and as a result of their small stomachs, they need to eat often.
The Striped Polecat has a body length in the range of 11”-15” (28-38 cm) and total weight of 1.3-3.3 lb (.6-1.5 kg). Striped Polecats have a shoulder height between 6.7”-8.7” (17-22 cm), body width of 5.1”-7.1” (13-18 cm), and tail length of 7.9”-11.8” (20-30 cm). The typical lifespan of the Striped Polecat is between 4-14 years.
The Striped Polecat, Ictonyx striatus, is a carnivorous mammal that resembles a skunk; it is also called African polecat, zoril, zorilla, and African skunk. The species lives in dry and arid climates like the savannahs and the open country of Central, Southern, and sub-Saharan Africa. Physically the striped polecats’ specific coloring varies by its location, but usually, they are black on the underside, white on the tail, and have stripes running from their heads down their back and on their cheeks. Its diet includes small rodents, snakes, birds, amphibians, and insects, and as a result of their small stomachs, they need to eat often.
The Striped Polecat has a body length in the range of 11”-15” (28-38 cm) and total weight of 1.3-3.3 lb (.6-1.5 kg). Striped Polecats have a shoulder height between 6.7”-8.7” (17-22 cm), body width of 5.1”-7.1” (13-18 cm), and tail length of 7.9”-11.8” (20-30 cm). The typical lifespan of the Striped Polecat is between 4-14 years.
