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Litter Size

How many babies does a European polecat have at once? (litter size)

How many baby European polecats are in a litter?

A European polecat (Mustela putorius) usually gives birth to around 8 babies.With 1 litters per year, that sums up to a yearly offspring of 8 babies.

Each of those little ones spend around 41 days as a fetus before they are released into the wild. Upon birth, they weight 9 grams (0.02 lbs) and measure 5 cm (0′ 2″). They are a member of the Mustelidae family (genus: Mustela). An adult European polecat grows up to a size of 35.9 cm (1′ 3″).

To have a reference: Humans obviously usually have a litter size of one ;). Their babies are in the womb of their mother for 280 days (40 weeks) and reach an average size of 1.65m (5′ 5″). They weight in at 62 kg (137 lbs), which is obviously highly individual, and reach an average age of 75 years.

The average litter size of a European polecat is 8

The European polecat (Mustela putorius) – also known as the common ferret, black or forest polecat, foumart (from Middle English ‘Fulmard’, meaning ‘Foul’, and ‘Mearth’ , meaning ‘Marten’), or fitch (as well as some other names) – is a species of mustelid native to western Eurasia and north Morocco. It is of a generally dark brown colour, with a pale underbelly and a dark mask across the face. Occasionally, colour mutations, including albinos and erythrists, occur. Compared to minks and other weasels – fellow members of the genus Mustela – the polecat has a shorter, more compact body; a more powerfully built skull and dentition; is less agile; and it is well known for having the characteristic ability to secrete a particularly foul-smelling liquid to mark its territory.It is much less territorial than other mustelids, with animals of the same sex frequently sharing home ranges. Like other mustelids, the European polecat is polygamous, with pregnancy occurring after mating, with no induced ovulation. It usually gives birth in early summer to litters consisting of five to 10 kits, which become independent at the age of two to three months. The European polecat feeds on small rodents, birds, amphibians and reptiles. It occasionally cripples its prey by piercing its brain with its teeth and stores it, still living, in its burrow for future consumption.The European polecat originated in Western Europe during the Middle Pleistocene, with its closest living relatives being the steppe polecat, the black-footed ferret and the European mink. With the two former species, it can produce fertile offspring, though hybrids between it and the latter species tend to be sterile, and are distinguished from their parent species by their larger size and more valuable pelts.The European polecat is the sole ancestor of the ferret, which was domesticated more than 2000 years ago for the purpose of hunting vermin. The species has otherwise been historically viewed negatively by humans. In the British Isles especially, the polecat was persecuted by gamekeepers, and became synonymous with promiscuity in early English literature. During modern times, the polecat is still scantly represented in popular culture when compared to other rare British mammals, and misunderstandings of its behaviour still persist in some rural areas. As of 2008, it is classed by the IUCN as Least Concern due to its wide range and large numbers.

Other animals of the family Mustelidae

European polecat is a member of the Mustelidae, as are these animals:

Animals that share a litter size with European polecat

Those animals also give birth to 8 babies at once:

Animals that get as old as a European polecat

Other animals that usually reach the age of 14 years:

Animals with the same weight as a European polecat

What other animals weight around 980 grams (2.16 lbs)?

Animals with the same size as a European polecat

Also reaching around 35.9 cm (1′ 3″) in size do these animals: