Steppe Polecat
Siberian Polecat
Mustela eversmaniiLesson, 1827
Mustela putorius eversmanni Lesson: Atanassov & Peschev, 1963: p. 110.
Order Carnivora
Family Mustelidae
Conservation status: in Bulgaria: Vulnerable VU [A3c], BDA-II, III; International: BeC-II, HD-IV.
General distribution. From the open spaces of Central Asia and Russia to Southeast Poland, the Ukraine, Moldova and Romania; isolated in the Czech Republic, Southern Slovakia, Eastern Austria, Hungary and Northeastern Serbia.
Distribution and abundance in Bulgaria. A relict from the Pleistocene, with an area changing in the Holocene for climatic and anthropogenic reasons [1; 2]. Bulgaria is the southern periphery of the species area in Europe. Most probably, the subspecies M. e. eversmanii Lesson inhabits Bulgaria, particularly the Eastern and Central part of Northern Bulgaria on about 20 000 km2: mainly in Dobrudzha, to the west it reaches Chomakovtsi (Cherven Bryag) and Kneja (Y. Koshev, 2007 - personal communication); in the southeast the Eastern Balkan range to Beronovo, Daskotna and the Aytos pass; an unsure report for the Sofia region (N. Kodzhabashev, personal communication, 2001). The numbers are about 2 000 individuals (without the cubs), with a probable density in Dobrudzha of 1 individual per 5.5 km2, and a density of 1 individual per 12 km2 in the rest of the territory. Observed rarely (in Dobrudzha more than 16 reports, outside that area only 5-6 known reports) [3; 4; 5].
Habitats. Steppe territories, also agricultural lands where it makes shelters in the field boundaries and the riverside shrubs and forests; meadows and clearings. It uses river valleys and passes for ecological corridors [3; 5].
Biology. Polygamous. Sexually mature at the age of 10-11 months. Oestrus: February – March, pregnancy 36-38 days, it gives birth to 7-12 young ones. It uses the holes of sousliks, hamsters, and mole rats (that it enlarges), of foxes and badgers, or makes its own shelters; less frequently in rock cracks, roots and haylofts. It covers 4-7 km per day. In the Ukraine, the density is 0.05 – 6 individuals per 10 km2, in the winter it inhabits up to 3 km2. Basic prey: sousliks, hamsters, small rodents, [5; 6; 7; 8].
Similar species. The European polecat (M. putorius), from which it differs with the lighter colouration, the pale transocular "mask" and the light base of the tail [8].
Negative factors. Turning meadows and pastures into arable lands; intensive agriculture (blocks with monocultures, destruction of the field boundaries, use of pesticides and artificial fertilizers). Decrease of the numbers of the major prey. Fragmentation of the habitats by transport corridors and accidents on the roads. Human poaching.
Conservation measures taken. A protected species. Included in the Bulgarian Red Data Book of 1985. A protection campaign was carried out by the Wilderness Fund Society (1997-2000).
Conservation measures needed. Declaration of important habitats of the steppe faunistic complex protected territories and protected zones. Building passes through the roads and ensuring ecological corridors between the habitats. Use of alternative activities for combating the calamities of rodents. Educational activities with the public.
References. 1. Spassov, 1982; 2. Spiridonov & Spassov, 1998; 3. Spassov & Spiridonov, 1985; 4. Spassov, 1999; 5. Spassov et al., 2002; 6. Abelentsev, 1968; 7. Aristov & Baryshnikov, 2001; 8. Wolsan, 1993; 9. Geptner et al., 1967.
Authors: Nikolai Spassov, Geko Spiridonov
