marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna) Sketch of marbled polecat skull.
Date 1988
Source V. G. Heptner, et al. (1988) Mammals of the Soviet Union, vol. 2, part 1b
Author N. N. Kondakov
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MSU_V2P1b_-_Vormela_peregusna_skull.png
The marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna) is a small mammal belonging to the monotypic genus Vormela within the Mustelinae subfamily. Vormela is from the German word Würmlein, which means "little worm". The term peregusna comes from perehuznya, which is Ukrainian for polecat. Marbled polecats are generally found in the drier areas and grasslands of southeastern Europe to western China. Like other members of Mustelinae, it can emit a strong-smelling secretion from anal sacs under the tail when threatened.