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Zorilla, striped polecat - ICTONYX STRIATUS
Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia)
The Name "Zorilla": "Zorilla" is the diminutive of the Spanish word "zorro," which means "fox." "Pole" is of unknown origin, but the animal is definitely not a cat.
Location: Sub-Saharan Africa.
Habitat: Terestrial. Savanna and open grasslands
Description: On the back there are four large white stripes on a black background. There are also three conspicuous white marks on the face. The dense fur of the tail is mostly white with a black base. The coat is long and soft. The length of the head and body is 11 to 15 inches with a tail up to 12 inches. They weigh about three pounds.
Behavior: This solitary creature is strictly nocturnal. It can only be spotted at sundown or dawn before it scuttles off to its burrow among rocks or roots. Sometimes it will use a burrow previously dug by some other animal. It feeds on rodents, birds, snakes, and hares. When necessary it will eat insects and carrion instead. It has two highly developed perianal glands which emit a strong-smelling substance. It can propel this scent a considerable distance, like all American skunks.
Reproduction: There are two or three young in each litter. They are born with short fur and with the striped pattern already apparent.
Go to the Carnivore Page to learn more about all the meat-eating animals.
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