Polecat is a common name for mammals in the order Carnivora and subfamilies Ictonychinae and Mustelinae. ... Despite the name, being caniform mustelids, polecats are more closely related to dogs than cats, which is why they are placed in the suborder Caniformia.

What type of animal is a polecat?

The polecat belongs to the weasel family, the Mustelidae, comprising over 60 species of badgers, otters, skunks, martens, mink, ferrets, stoats and weasels. Like many in this family, the polecat has a long body with short legs.

Is a polecat a ferret?

A ferret can be called as a domesticated polecat. Polecats have larger heads than the domestic ferret, and this difference can be applied to both — males and females of the two breeds. ... Ferrets have color variations which can be changed from creamy white to the darkest brown.