THE STRIPED MUISHOND OR STINK 
CAT OF SOUTH AFRICA 
(Ictonyx capensis) 
Syn.: Zorilla striata 
Igqaqa of the Amaxosa (Clete) 
Tue 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 erythree), 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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