polecat
Ferret's wild ancestor
A polecat is a small, weasel-like carnivore native to Europe and Asia, known for the foul-smelling secretion it releases when threatened.
The domesticated ferret descends from the European polecat.
In American usage, polecat often refers to a skunk.
Figuratively, calling someone a polecat suggests they're mean or contemptible: That lying polecat cheated me out of my savings.
Fur-bearing animal skin
- furrierAnimal skin garment maker
- trappingCatching with concealed devices
- coatOuter garment or layer
- pelageMammal's fur collectively
hide · tanning · fur trade · fur farm · guard hairs · underfur
Weasel family member
- weaselSmall elongated predator
- stoatColor-changing weasel kin
- martenTree-climbing weasel relative
- badgerNag persistently
otter · ermine · mink · mammal · carnivore · predator · nocturnal · burrow
Having animal-derived odor
- stenchPowerfully offensive odor
- scent glandsTissue secreting pheromones
- anal glandsSecretion sacs near anus
- scent markingDepositing odor for communication
pungent · fetid · rank · malodorous · noxious · repellent · reek · musk
Spray-armed striped mammal
- spotted skunkMottled mustelid with defensive spray
- sprayDispersed liquid droplets
- North AmericanFrom U.S. or neighbors
- roadkillVehicle-struck animal remains
Linear shrub boundary
- countrysideRural area beyond towns
- quarryPit for extracting rock
- gamekeeperEstate wildlife manager
- warrenInterconnected underground tunnels
rabbit hunter · farmland · woodland · moorland · fitch
pelt
Fur-bearing animal skin
pelage · hide · tanning · fur trade · fur farm · guard hairs · underfur
mustelid
Weasel family member
badger · otter · ermine · mink · mammal · carnivore · predator · nocturnal · burrow · territorial
musky
Having animal-derived odor
- stenchPowerfully offensive odor
- scent glandsTissue secreting pheromones
- anal glandsSecretion sacs near anus
scent marking · pungent · fetid · rank · malodorous · noxious · repellent · reek · musk · smelly
skunk
Spray-armed striped mammal
- spotted skunkMottled mustelid with defensive spray
- sprayDispersed liquid droplets
- North AmericanFrom U.S. or neighbors
hedgerow
Linear shrub boundary
- countrysideRural area beyond towns
- quarryPit for extracting rock
- gamekeeperEstate wildlife manager
warren · rabbit hunter · farmland · woodland · moorland · fitch
stealthy
Secretly cautious in movement
shy · reclusive · skulking · hidden · cryptic · evasive · unseen · solitary · wary · camouflaged
- Eurasian mammalsbadger, beaver, boar, brown bear, fox
- mesocarnivoresraccoon, fox, badger, skunk, marten
- Mustelidsweasel, otter, badger, stoat, mink
- regional animal namescougar, mountain lion, puma, panther, crawfish
- sablemarten, ermine, mink, stoat, weasel
- Scent Animalsskunk, spotted skunk, musk deer, muskrat, musk ox