Swampy 147 Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 The only way of telling a Polecat from a ferret is by DNA analysis. And then, the only difference is in mitochondrial DNA, not the DNA in the cell nucleus. They are therefore, genetically, the same species. The difference in mitochondrial DNA suggests that ferrets originated as hybrids between two closely related polecat species, or that a small amount of evolution/mutation has taken place, but far in the past. Given the very short generation time for ferrets, there's probably been in excess of 3000 generations of ferrets since they were first domesticated. In human terms, that would be a different species...... There's never a Crow around when you need one..... And you never have a gun when you see a crow! Rgds Swampy nings to the end of work Quote Link to post
ferret lady 73 Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 The only way of telling a Polecat from a ferret is by DNA analysis. This is undoubtedly true in the UK or any other country where feral ferrets exist and interbreeding has occurred. In areas where there are no feral ferrets, there are clear cut differences between polecats and ferrets, such as skull features, orbital angles, body structure and muscling. Most of all, the differences in speed and agility between a polecat and a hybrid are striking, even more so between a polecat and a ferret. It's possible that pure European polecats exist in the UK but, given all the photos I've seen of supposed polecats, they must be extremely rare. Quote Link to post
Kay 3,709 Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 So a Wild EU Euro European Polecat are all the same ? as i have heard them all described as the above Quote Link to post
whin 463 Posted November 6, 2009 Report Share Posted November 6, 2009 saw apure wild polecat in wales a guy had it black with hardly any markings , saw a marbled ferret they have the in edinbuurgh zoo very nice and when you see them you just want one markings like a leopard but black and white ,tuffted ears and tail at the end mthere still is pure polecats about for sure Quote Link to post
Leeview 791 Posted November 6, 2009 Report Share Posted November 6, 2009 Lots of FERAL polecats about in parts of the dales was told to make sure they have collars on before you approach them, that was by members of the North of England Falconry Club when bolting rabbits for them to fly Y.I.S Leeview Quote Link to post
Guest lavyheed Posted November 6, 2009 Report Share Posted November 6, 2009 So a Wild EU Euro European Polecat are all the same ? as i have heard them all described as the above They Thay Theigh Might be.... Quote Link to post
Kay 3,709 Posted November 7, 2009 Report Share Posted November 7, 2009 <!--quoteo(post=1311409:date=Nov 5 2009, 08:58 PM:name=Kay)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kay @ Nov 5 2009, 08:58 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1311409"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->So a Wild EU Euro European Polecat are all the same ? as i have heard them all described as the above<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> They Thay Theigh Might be.... <img src="http://www.thehuntinglife.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue2.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="tongue2.gif" /> <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> Oh your so witty Quote Link to post
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.