Can you get Polecats in SE England ?

Question

I'm sure I just saw one, it wasn't a stoat or a weasel but Ive never seen one before and wasn't sure if we even get them round here.

Answer 1

Yes.

Answer 2

You'll probably find that it was a ferret escapee.

True polecats are on the increase though, they were hunted to near extinction and only a few remained on the England Wales border.

The number of true sightings has increased to central and southern England, it may be possible that they have reached the south-east.

I live in Dorset and saw one the other day but had no way of telling if it was a ferret or polecat and I'm an owner of ferrets!

This survey is a little old but does indicate the spread of them.

http://www.vwt.org.uk/publications/Surve...

Answer 3

Indeed you can....though the only pole cats you`ll see now are generally returned to the wild ferrets. The pole cat is the ferret of course and while they are related to the stoat and the weasel they`re a good deal bigger.Cracking beasts too! Used to keep them for hunting rats on a stable.....mad little fekkers they are too!

Answer 4

they're all over europe now-  we have loads in ireland too!!

Answer 5

Yes. I saw one in Leatherhead once.

Answer 6

Of course we do. and they Rock my brain.# http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzaCrcvNr...

Answer 7

We get them all over the Uk. Everywhere.

Answer 8

The polecat is native to Britain. It is part of the weasel family, the Mustelidae.

The polecat has a long body with short legs, dark fur apart from a pale yellow underbody. The facial markings on a polecat are very unique consisting of light and dark fur that makes it look like a bandits mask.

They are bigger than stoats and weasels varying in length from 45-60cm.

They are nocturnal animals living in many different types of habitat, however they do show a preference for wet areas and river banks. They are not shy and are found near humans in places such as barns, the edges of fields and marshlands.

The distribution of polecats is largely around the midlands and Wales, however they do stretch down to the south coast but this is more central than south east.

Hope this helps :)

Answer 9

i think they're a reddish colour with two black eyes - i saw one in my garden last year and didn't know what it was!!  they're probably all over the place