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Growing up, you might have heard a neighbor call a skunk a polecat as they shooed one out of their lawn. So, you might be surprised to learn that a polecat is not another term for a skunk; it’s actually a completely different animal! Whether you’re just now learning about polecats or are simply curious about these 2 stinky, but cute, animals, we’ll tell you how to tell them apart. Read on to learn more!
Things You Should Know
- Skunks live in North America while polecats are found in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
- Polecats are typically dark brown with white face markings, while skunks are usually black with distinctive white stripes.
- Skunks have large, bushy tails unlike polecats’ long, sleek tails.
- Polecats live in pastures, marshes, and meadows, while skunks prefer forest edges.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Tips
References
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/animal/polecat
- ↑ https://www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/Species/Mammals/Spotted-skunk
- ↑ https://www.tn.gov/twra/wildlife/mammals/medium/striped-skunk.html
- ↑ https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/mammals/facts-about-polecats/
- ↑ https://factanimal.com/striped-polecat/
- ↑ https://onekindplanet.org/animal/polecat-european/
- ↑ https://www.tn.gov/twra/wildlife/mammals/medium/striped-skunk.html
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/animal/skunk
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/animal/polecat
- ↑ https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/mammals/facts-about-polecats/
- ↑ https://citizensforconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Skunk.pdf
- ↑ https://citizensforconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Skunk.pdf
- ↑ https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/mammals/polecat
- ↑ https://onekindplanet.org/animal/polecat-european/
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/animal/skunk
- ↑ https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/skunks/
- ↑ https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/mammals/facts-about-polecats/
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/animal/skunk
- ↑ https://www.krugerpark.co.za/africa_striped_polecat.html
- ↑ https://www.tn.gov/twra/wildlife/mammals/medium/striped-skunk.html
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