Post by joan on Mar 25, 2012 20:43:46 GMT -5
Here you go, Sherry:
www.captivebredreptileforums.co.uk/other-pets-exotics/32247-polecat-first-cross.html
Also, here's another interesting article about polecats/hybrids/feral ferrets in the UK.
www.vwt.org.uk/docs/polecat/hybridization-between-polecats-and-domestic-ferrets-davison-et-al.pdf
It's fairly technical, so may be a bit difficult to understand for some. The most interesting part to me was their finding that mitochondrial DNA could not distinguish polecats, hybrids, and feral ferrets from one another. I very much doubt this would hold true for any European country which has a polecat population wih few or no feral ferrets, as the polecats can be easily distinguished from both hybrids and ferrets by knowledgeable people.
I've seen a number of posts on a UK ferret forum over the years about kits or adults whose DNA test showed that they were pure polecats. I found that very puzzling as all but one or two of the photos were clearly ferrets, including one albino, with no indication of any hybrid traits, let alone any indication of polecat type or structure. It really made me wonder just where the DNA they were comparing them to came from, as well as the validity of the test.
Here's a link to another site showing captured UK "polecats" which were released in North Wales, almost all of whom are clearly ferrets...presumably feral ferrets, since most were found in the wild. Even the one or two who might be low content hybrids still are obviously not pure polecats. Nothing like releasing such animals in the only area which might still contain some true polecats!
www.seencaught.co.uk/galleries/British_Wildlife/BW_Mammals/Polecat/
www.captivebredreptileforums.co.uk/other-pets-exotics/32247-polecat-first-cross.html
Also, here's another interesting article about polecats/hybrids/feral ferrets in the UK.
www.vwt.org.uk/docs/polecat/hybridization-between-polecats-and-domestic-ferrets-davison-et-al.pdf
It's fairly technical, so may be a bit difficult to understand for some. The most interesting part to me was their finding that mitochondrial DNA could not distinguish polecats, hybrids, and feral ferrets from one another. I very much doubt this would hold true for any European country which has a polecat population wih few or no feral ferrets, as the polecats can be easily distinguished from both hybrids and ferrets by knowledgeable people.
I've seen a number of posts on a UK ferret forum over the years about kits or adults whose DNA test showed that they were pure polecats. I found that very puzzling as all but one or two of the photos were clearly ferrets, including one albino, with no indication of any hybrid traits, let alone any indication of polecat type or structure. It really made me wonder just where the DNA they were comparing them to came from, as well as the validity of the test.
Here's a link to another site showing captured UK "polecats" which were released in North Wales, almost all of whom are clearly ferrets...presumably feral ferrets, since most were found in the wild. Even the one or two who might be low content hybrids still are obviously not pure polecats. Nothing like releasing such animals in the only area which might still contain some true polecats!
www.seencaught.co.uk/galleries/British_Wildlife/BW_Mammals/Polecat/
Those are really interesting!