European polecat vs small-leaf cotoneaster

Mustela putorius compared with Cotoneaster microphyllus

Key Differences

• European polecat is Vulnerable while small-leaf cotoneaster is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European polecat	small-leaf cotoneaster
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Plantae (Plants)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Magnoliopsida (Dicots)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Rosales (Roses & Allies)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Genus	Mustela	Cotoneaster
Species	Mustela putorius	Cotoneaster microphyllus

Conservation Status

European polecat

VU — Vulnerable

small-leaf cotoneaster

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European polecat	small-leaf cotoneaster
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

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.

small-leaf cotoneaster

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries) and Oceania and the Pacific (Australia, New Zealand).

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 2 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇮🇪 Ireland