European Mink vs European polecat

Mustela lutreola compared with Mustela putorius

Key Differences

• European Mink is Extinct while European polecat is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European Mink	European polecat
Kingdom same	Animalia (動物)	Animalia (動物)
Phylum same	Chordata (脊索動物)	Chordata (脊索動物)
Class same	Mammalia (哺乳類)	Mammalia (哺乳類)
Order same	Carnivora (ネコ目)	Carnivora (ネコ目)
Family same	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus same	Mustela	Mustela
Species	Mustela lutreola	Mustela putorius

Evolutionary Relationship

European Mink and European polecat share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Mustela.

Conservation Status

European Mink

EX — Extinct

European polecat

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European Mink	European polecat
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

European Mink

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries).

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

ヨーロッパケナガイタチ（Mustela putorius）はIUCNレッドリストで危急（VU）に分類されています。野生での危機的状況に陥る高いリスクがあり、個体数が減少し、生息地への圧力が増しています。

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇷🇺 Russia 🇺🇦 Ukraine