Ictonyx striatius.
No, it's not an horror movie, or a zoo ape. It's certainly not a zebra - orang utang
cross, though its conspicuous black and white strip might suggest this. At least zoologists saw the pattern when they stuck striatus after Ictonyx on the name tag. Some mortals prefer to call it a "muishond" or "stinkmuishond" which, if you get the meaning, gives a clue to its demeanour. It really can raise a stink.
When confronted it growls, barks or screams (first warning). It then backs up, body arched, hair raised and tail erect (second warning). Still there? - it lets fly the most highly offensive jet stream from its rear end (belated warning). The disgusting smell has even transgressed the sensibilities of the hyaena - so don't get its back up (literally).
Defensive habits aside, the striped polecat is a bit of a looker - particularly to Newcastle United fans! Its goal hunger, however, is directed towards rats, other rodents, snakes, scorpions and spiders. In typical premier league fashion, it goes in with powerful claws and kills with a neck bite! Guilty of the occasional fowl, it has been relegated to the vermin league by farmers all over Africa, except in the desert and forest areas where it refuses to play.
Geordies may be envious of the Zorilla's match play - 60 to 90 minutes from kick off to final whistle. The result: next season's young hopefuls - one to three in number - emerge 36 days later and reach maturity after about 20 weeks.
If you want to watch the striped polecat play, kick off is after sunset. It usually makes a solo appearance and heads for the burrow tunnel before sun up. But don't confuse it with the African weasel which, whilst similar in colour and habits, is much smaller and generally very rare. |
