Wild Wednesday – Polecat
Once driven to the brink of extinction across much of Britain, the polecat, scientific name, Mustela putorius, is now making a welcome comeback, including right here in Sussex. Secretive, adaptable and rarely seen, this masked mammal is one of the UK's greatest wildlife recovery success stories.
A master of disguise
With rich dark-brown fur, a creamy undercoat and distinctive pale markings around its face, the polecat looks a little like a ferret wearing a mask. In fact, domestic ferrets are descended from polecats, although their wild cousins are generally larger, stockier and far more elusive.
Polecats are members of the weasel family and are mainly active at night, which means most people never realise they are sharing the countryside with them.
Back from the brink
By the early 1900s, polecats had disappeared from most of England due to habitat loss and persecution, surviving mainly in parts of rural Wales. Thanks to legal protection and improvements in habitat, they have gradually expanded their range and can now be found across many counties, including West Sussex.
Records show that polecats are becoming increasingly established in Sussex, with sightings reported from woodland, farmland and along rural road networks. Their recovery is a positive sign that our countryside can support a rich diversity of native wildlife.
A skilled night-time hunter
Polecats are agile predators, feeding on rabbits, rats, mice, voles, birds and amphibians. Excellent climbers, swimmers and hunters, they can thrive in a range of habitats, from ancient woodland and hedgerows to wetlands and farmland.
They often shelter in old rabbit burrows, hollow trees, or dense vegetation during the day before heading out to hunt after dark.
Did you know?
- polecats can travel several miles in a single night while searching for food
- male polecats are called 'hobs' and females are known as 'jills'
- they are solitary and tend to be less social, making them less attractive as pets, compared to a domestic ferret
- in the wild, they live about 5 to 6 years
- they use scent markings to communicate and identify their territory
- despite their secretive nature, polecats play an important role in controlling rodent populations
- the domestic ferret is thought to have been bred from the European polecat more than 2,000 years ago
- polecats were once so rare in England that spotting one was considered a real wildlife event
- they are currently protected from predator control, unless specifically licensed, and the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 prevents anyone from harming them
Keep your eyes peeled
Although sightings remain uncommon, you may be lucky enough to glimpse a polecat crossing a quiet country lane at dusk or dawn. Most people will never see one in the wild, making every sighting something special.
So next time you're exploring one of West Sussex's beautiful countryside walks, woodlands or nature reserves, remember that one of Britain's most elusive mammals could be closer than you think.