Ferret vs. Polecat — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 2, 2023
Ferrets are domesticated animals often kept as pets; polecats are wild, belong to the weasel family, and are the ancestors of ferrets.
Difference Between Ferret and Polecat
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Ferrets are domesticated creatures, often friendly and commonly kept as pets. Polecats, their wild ancestors, are more elusive and not typically domesticated. The domestication of the ferret has made it a popular choice for a companion animal, while the polecat remains largely untamed and is often found in the wild.
While ferrets have been bred for certain characteristics such as a docile nature and varied coat colors, polecats retain their natural wild coloring and survival instincts. The ferret's sociable behavior contrasts with the polecat's solitary nature.
The ferret, having been domesticated for thousands of years, is adapted to living in close quarters with humans. The polecat, however, is a symbol of the wild, often seen in European countrysides and steppes. Their behaviors and environments are as different as their historical roles, with ferrets being used for hunting and polecats remaining part of the natural ecosystem.
In terms of appearance, ferrets typically have a wider range of coat colors and patterns due to selective breeding. Polecats, conversely, maintain their darker, uniform coats which provide them camouflage in their natural habitat. The distinct lineage of ferrets, although derived from polecats, shows how humans can influence the evolution of a species.
Naming can also differ; in some regions, the term "polecat" can also refer to other members of the Mustelidae family, not just the ancestors of ferrets. In contrast, "ferret" specifically describes the domesticated form that people might recognize in a neighbor's home or a pet store.
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Comparison Chart
Domestication
Domesticated species.
Wild species.
Usage
Often kept as pets.
Not typically kept as pets.
Temperament
Generally friendly and docile.
More wild and cautious.
Coat Colors
Variety due to selective breeding.
Typically uniform, dark colors.
Habitat
Adapted to living with humans.
Lives in the wild, often in European regions.
Compare with Definitions
Ferret
To drive out by using or as if using a ferret.
The detectives ferreted the suspect from his hiding place.
Polecat
An American skunk.
A polecat sprayed the family dog, leaving a foul smell.
Ferret
To harass or worry persistently.
He would ferret his brother for the car keys.
Polecat
Any of several related mammals of the weasel family.
The polecat in the exhibit was a fascinating creature.
Ferret
A narrow tape or ribbon, as for binding or trimming.
She used a silver ferret to edge her costume.
Polecat
A European mammal of the weasel family with dark fur.
The polecat roamed the woods in search of prey.
Ferret
The ferret (Mustela furo) is a domestic species of small mustelid. The only domesticated species in Mustelidae, it is thought to be a descendant of the European polecat, a mammal belonging to the same genus as the weasel, Mustela.
Polecat
Polecat is a common name for mammals in the order Carnivora and subfamilies Ictonychinae and Mustelinae. Polecats do not form a single taxonomic rank (i.e.
Ferret
A domesticated mustelid mammal (Mustela furo syn. Mustela putorius subsp. furo) with an elongated flexible body, often kept as a pet and sometimes trained to hunt rats or rabbits.
Polecat
A weasel-like Eurasian mammal with mainly dark brown fur and a darker mask across the eyes, noted for its fetid smell.
Ferret
A black-footed ferret.
Polecat
A chiefly nocturnal mustelid mammal (Mustela putorius) of Europe that ejects a malodorous fluid to mark its territory and defend itself from predators. Also called fitch.
Ferret
A narrow piece of tape used to bind or edge fabric.
Polecat
Either of two similar mammals, Mustela eversmanii of the Central Asian steppes, having a light brown coat with a black mask, or Vormela peregusna of Eurasia, having a mottled yellow and brown coat.
Ferret
To hunt (rabbits, for example) with ferrets.
Polecat
See skunk.
Ferret
To drive out, as from a hiding place; expel.
Polecat
A weasel-like animal of the genus Mustela.
Ferret
To uncover and bring to light by searching. Often used with out
"Their work merely points the way for others to ferret out the core components of all proteins" (Natalie Angier).
Polecat
Notably, the European polecat, Mustela putorius.
Ferret
To hound or harry persistently; worry.
Polecat
A skunk.
Ferret
To engage in hunting with ferrets.
Polecat
(television) A tubular device used to support lights on a set.
Ferret
To search intensively.
Polecat
A small European carnivore of the Weasel family (Putorius fœtidus). Its scent glands secrete a substance of an exceedingly disagreeable odor. Called also fitchet, foulmart, and European ferret.
Ferret
An often domesticated mammal (Mustela putorius furo) rather like a weasel, descended from the polecat and often trained to hunt burrowing animals.
Polecat
American musteline mammal typically ejecting an intensely malodorous fluid when startled; in some classifications put in a separate subfamily Mephitinae
Ferret
The black-footed ferret, Mustela nigripes.
Polecat
Dark brown mustelid of woodlands of Eurasia that gives off an unpleasant odor when threatened
Ferret
(figurative) A diligent searcher.
Polecat
A person regarded as unpleasant or contemptible.
The villain in the play was a real polecat.
Ferret
(dated) A tape of silk, cotton, or ribbon, used to tie documents, clothing, etc. or along the edge of fabric.
Polecat
A term used historically in fur trading to describe certain furs.
Polecats were once hunted extensively for their valuable fur.
Ferret
To hunt game with ferrets.
Ferret
To uncover and bring to light by searching; usually to ferret out.
Ferret
An animal of the Weasel family (Mustela furo syn. Putorius furo), about fourteen inches in length, of a pale yellow or white color, with red eyes. It is a native of Africa, but has been domesticated in Europe. Ferrets are used to drive rabbits and rats out of their holes. They are sometimes kept as pets.
Ferret
A kind of narrow tape, usually made of woolen; sometimes of cotton or silk; - called also ferreting.
Ferret
The iron used for trying the melted glass to see if is fit to work, and for shaping the rings at the mouths of bottles.
Ferret
To drive or hunt out of a lurking place, as a ferret does the cony; to search out by patient and sagacious efforts; - often used with out; as, to ferret out a secret.
Master Fer! I'll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him.
Ferret
Ferret of prairie regions of United States; nearly extinct
Ferret
Domesticated albino variety of the European polecat bred for hunting rats and rabbits
Ferret
Hound or harry relentlessly
Ferret
Hunt with ferrets
Ferret
Search and discover through persistent investigation;
She ferreted out the truth
Ferret
A domesticated, usually albino, brownish, or white variety of the polecat.
She has a white ferret as a pet.
Ferret
To search out, discover, or bring to light.
He ferreted out the files from the cluttered office.
Common Curiosities
What is a polecat?
A polecat is a wild carnivorous mammal from the weasel family, typically found in Eurasia.
Can ferrets live in the wild?
Ferrets are domesticated and generally do not survive well in the wild.
Are polecats and ferrets the same species?
No, polecats are wild animals, whereas ferrets are their domesticated counterparts.
What is a ferret?
A ferret is a domesticated mammal related to the polecat, often kept as a pet.
Can polecats be kept as pets?
Polecats are not usually kept as pets due to their wild nature.
What is the natural habitat of a polecat?
Polecats live in woodland, farmland, and wetland habitats across Eurasia.
Are ferrets good for hunting?
Historically, ferrets were used to hunt rabbits and rodents.
Is it legal to own a ferret as a pet?
This depends on local laws, as some places have restrictions on owning ferrets.
What are the main threats to polecats in the wild?
Habitat loss, road traffic, and persecution are threats to polecats.
Are ferrets social animals?
Yes, ferrets are social creatures that often enjoy interacting with humans and other ferrets.
What do ferrets eat?
Ferrets are carnivores and often eat a diet of specially formulated ferret food or meat.
How long do ferrets live?
Ferrets typically live for 6 to 10 years.
Can polecats interbreed with ferrets?
Yes, polecats and ferrets can interbreed as they are closely related species.
How can I differentiate a ferret from a polecat?
Ferrets usually have a wider variety of coat colors and are more accustomed to human handling than polecats.
Do polecats have a natural predator?
Polecats are preyed upon by birds of prey, foxes, and larger carnivores.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
