Marbled polecat

The marbled polecat is a small, smelly cousin of weasels and ferrets that lives in dry grasslands from southeastern Europe to western China. It's the only living member of its genus, Vormela. When scared, it defends itself with a stinky surprise from special glands under its tail.

• Releases strong-smelling liquid from tail glands when threatened
• Lives in dry habitats across Eurasia's grasslands
• The sole surviving species in its evolutionary branch (Vormela)