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Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Chordata > Class: Mammalia > Order: Carnivora > Family: Mustelidae > Genus: Mustela > Species: Mustela putorius > See subspecies
Scientific name Source
Mustela putorius putorius Linnaeus, 1758 Fauna Europaea (2005)

Western polecat - Mustela putorius Linnaeus, 1758

Images from the web

Quick facts

Threat status Europe Least Concern (IUCN)
Protected by EU Habitats Directive and 1 other international agreement
Natura 2000 sites 1 are designated for this species
Most preferred habitats
  • agricultural mosaics
  • cropland
  • grassland
  • urban
  • wetlands
  • woodland and forest
May also occur in
  • heathland and shrub
Natura 2000 species code 1358

Distribution

The distribution map is currently disabled. A new map solution will soon become available. In the meantime, please consult other species distribution map providers listed in the Other resources panel below.

Threat and conservation status

IUCN Red List status of threatened species

The IUCN Red List threat status assesses the risk of extinction.

IUCN Red List Category
Not Evaluated
Near Threatened
Regionally Extinct
Not Applicable
Vulnerable
Extinct in the Wild
Data Deficient
Endangered
Extinct
Least Concern
Critically Endangered

EU conservation status

Conservation status assesses every six years and for each biogeographical region the condition of habitats and species compared to the favourable status as described in the Habitats Directive. The map shows the 2013-2018 assessments as reported by EU Member State. Assessments are further detailed in the summary document available behind the link below.

Natura 2000 sites

Protected in the following Natura 2000 sites

Sitecode Country Site name Action
BE35049C0 Belgium Vallée du Ruisseau de Fairoul Map

Protected sites

Please note the site map takes a while to display.

Common names and synonyms

Common Name Language Reference
Bunzing Dutch Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Dihor Romanian Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Hilleri Finnish Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Ilder Danish Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Ilder Norwegian Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Iller Swedish Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Illir Icelandic Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Juodasis šeškas Lithuanian Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Kokarca Turkish Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Közönséges görény Hungarian Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Metstuhkur Estonian Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Navadni dihur Slovenian Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Nemes Maltese Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Putois d'Europe French Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Puzzola Italian Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Qelbesi Albanian Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Sesks Latvian Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Sténkert Luxemburgish Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Tchor tmavý Slovak Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Tchórz zwyczajny Polish Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Toirão Portuguese Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Tuhkur Estonian Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Turón Spanish Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Tvor Croatian Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Waldiltis German Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Western polecat English Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Synonym Author
Putorius putorius Linnaeus, 1758

Other resources

CoL (accepted name) Catalogue of Life
EoL Encyclopedia of Life
Fauna Europaea Fauna Europaea
GBIF Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Habitats Directive Art. 17-2006 summary
ITIS (Valid name) Interagency Taxonomic Information System
NCBI National Center for Biotechnology Information
NOBANIS: Mustela putorius European Network on Invasive Alien Species
PESI (Accepted) Pan-European Species directories Infrastructure
Wikipedia Wikipedia

External data

No external data sets available for this species
European Environment Agency (EEA)
Kongens Nytorv 6
1050 Copenhagen K
Denmark
Phone: +45 3336 7100