THE STRIPED MUISHOND OR STINK 

 CAT OF SOUTH AFRICA 



(Ictonyx capensis) 

 Syn. : Zorilla striata 



Iqaqa of the Amaxosa (Cloete] 



THE Striped Muishond, otherwise known as the 

 Stink Cat and Polecat, is found in all parts of South 

 Africa, and occurs as far north as Central Africa. 

 Although the only species found south of the 

 Zambesi and Cunene Rivers, there are four other 

 kinds in Central and Northern Africa, viz. the 

 Senegal Zorille (Ictonyx senegalensis), Suakin Zorille 

 (Ictonyx erythrece}, Libyan Zorille (Ictonyx libyca), 

 and Brindled Zorille (Ictonyx frenata) . The Striped 

 Muishond, although common, is seldom seen by 

 the casual observer, for the reason that it sleeps 

 in the recesses of its burrow by day and hunts by 

 night. 



This muishond and its near relative, the Snake 

 Muishond, take the place in South Africa of the 

 weasel of Europe and the skunks of America. 



The Striped Muishond is provided with power- 

 ful claws on its front feet. With these it tunnels 



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