Is there a difference between ferrets and polecats?

Question

if so, what?

Answer 1

Ferrets and Polecats are related, but entirely different animals.  They belong to the weasel family which includes ferrets, European polecats, Steppe Polecats, minks, otters, skunks, and others.   Ferrets and European Polecats (and Steppe Polecats) can inter-breed and their hybrid offspring will be fertile.  This happens when people who don't want ferrets any more release them into the wild thinking they will adapt.  Oftentimes, the ferret cannot adapt since it's a domestic pet, but sometimes they can adapt to the "wild life" and breed with their Polecat "cousin."

Answer 2

e.g. wolf (wild) dog (domesticated) basicly a polecat is a wild version of a ferret =]

Answer 3

um yes, ferrets are domesticated pets! Polecats are wild SKUNKS!!!

Answer 4

The ferret is a close relative of the polecat, actually.  But it is yet unclear whether it is a domesticated form of the European polecat or the Steppe polecat, or some hybrid of the two.  I don't know what else to add, but no, they're not the same thing but awfully close.