Defense Mechanisms
The striped polecat is an aggressive and very territorial animal. It marks its territory with its feces and through the anal emission of fumes. These fumes serve as a defense against predators, in a similar manner as employed by skunks. The emissions, released by anal stink glands, temporarily blind their adversaries and irritate the mucous membranes resulting in an intense burning sensation. Before spraying the opponent with this noxious fluid, the striped polecat will often take a deimatic (threat) stance with its back arched, rear end facing the opponent, and tail straight up in the air.
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