Dotted Ermel vs European polecat

Ethmia dodecea compared with Mustela putorius

Key Differences

• Dotted Ermel is Extinct while European polecat is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Dotted Ermel	European polecat
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Insecta (Insects)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Ethmiidae	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Ethmia	Mustela
Species	Ethmia dodecea	Mustela putorius

Evolutionary Relationship

Dotted Ermel and European polecat share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Dotted Ermel

EX — Extinct

European polecat

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Dotted Ermel	European polecat
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Dotted Ermel

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, and Sweden.

European polecat

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (10 countries) and South America (Brazil, Colombia). Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

European polecat

European polecat (Mustela putorius) is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List. Facing a high risk of endangerment in the wild, with declining populations and increasing habitat pressure.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇸🇪 Sweden