Zorilla is a small, weasellike animal that can spray an extremely foul-smelling liquid when threatened. The zorilla is also called the striped polecat. It is found in a wide variety of habitats across sub-Saharan Africa , the part of Africa south of the Sahara . The zorilla is a close relative of the Saharan striped polecat, which lives in northern Africa.
The zorilla has black fur with four white stripes reaching from the head to the bushy tail. It has three white spots on its face and white ear tips. The zorilla resembles the skunk of North and South America, but the two animals are not closely related. However, scientists think the color pattern of both the zorilla and the skunk serve as a warning to predators. Both animals are known to spray a foul-smelling liquid when threatened. The color pattern helps predators to recognize the animals and avoid being sprayed.
The zorilla ranges from about 11 to 15 inches (28 to 38 centimeters) in length, not including the tail. The tail is around 10 inches (25 centimeters) long. The females are smaller than the males. Zorillas are solitary animals, generally avoiding one another. Their mating season is in the spring and summer. Females usually produce one litter per year, with one to three young per litter.
Zorillas live in savanna , desert , and shrubland habitats where vegetation is scattered. They are nocturnal, sleeping during the day and becoming active at night. They sleep in rock crevices and hollow trees. They can also use their long claws to dig a burrow. At night, zorillas prey on rats, mice, and other rodents. They also eat small reptiles, frogs, birds, eggs, and insects.
Dogs and wildcats sometimes prey on zorillas. When frightened, a zorilla will fluff up the hair on its tail and growl or scream. It will then spray the predator with its liquid, called musk. The musk comes from glands at the base of the zorilla’s tail. If spraying does not stop the attack, the zorilla may then play dead. Scientists think this gives the zorilla a chance to survive by allowing the predator to taste the foul musk and decide not to eat the zorilla.
