Thursday, August 10, 2006

Napoleon the Polecat

Is this the handsomest ferret you have ever seen? Looks like a polecat - Mustela putorius - the word polecat apparently derives from the French word for chicken meaning chicken cat. They live on frogs, voles, eels, rats and various fowl being strong swimmers. I suppose their niche has been taken by the imported Mink.
More stuff on polecats here including some photos and the fact that Polecats kill by 'pithing' or biting through the brain stem which leaves the prey alive but immobile - I heard once of someone who found a stash of frogs in a wall - all alive but paralysed.

Polecat survey showing distribution map
Wiki on European polecats
Rockabilly Guys
Of course there was an 80s rockabilly band called the Polecats who featured Boz Boorer who is best known for his work with Morrissey. Watch their ultra-catchy orginal Make A Circuit With Me video here
Phew! Ferrets to Morrissey in one posting.

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