: Domestic ferrets ( Mustela putorius furo ) are descended from the European polecat. In some regions, dark-furred ferrets are still called polecat-ferrets . Regional Meanings & Slang European Polecat - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
: Polecats have long, slender bodies with short legs and dark fur. Their most distinctive feature is a facial mask —a pattern of dark and light fur around the eyes that may serve as a warning to predators. polecat
: They are ferocious hunters, capable of taking down rabbits much larger than themselves. Their diet also includes rodents, amphibians, birds, and snakes. : Domestic ferrets ( Mustela putorius furo )