marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna) Sketch of a marbled polecat
Date 1916
Source Wild life of the world : a descriptive survey of the geographical distribution of animals, vol. II
Author Richard Lydekker (1849-1915)
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lydekker_marbled_polecat.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.