Zo*ril"la (?), n. [Sp. zorilla,
zorillo, dim. of zorra, zorro, a fox: cf. F.
zorille.] (Zoöl.) Either one of two species of
small African carnivores of the genus Ictonyx allied to the
weasels and skunks. [Written also zoril, and
zorille.]
&fist; The best-known species (Ictonyx zorilla) has black
shiny fur with white bands and spots. It has anal glands which produce
a very offensive secretion, similar to that of the skunk. It feeds
upon birds and their eggs and upon small mammals, and is often very
destructive to poultry. It is sometimes tamed by the natives, and kept
to destroy rats and mice. Called also mariput, Cape
polecat, and African polecat. The name is sometimes
erroneously applied to the American skunk.
Zo*ril"la (?), n. [Sp. zorilla,
zorillo, dim. of zorra, zorro, a fox: cf. F.
zorille.] (Zoöl.) Either one of two species of
small African carnivores of the genus Ictonyx allied to the
weasels and skunks. [Written also zoril, and
zorille.]
&fist; The best-known species (Ictonyx zorilla) has black
shiny fur with white bands and spots. It has anal glands which produce
a very offensive secretion, similar to that of the skunk. It feeds
upon birds and their eggs and upon small mammals, and is often very
destructive to poultry. It is sometimes tamed by the natives, and kept
to destroy rats and mice. Called also mariput, Cape
polecat, and African polecat. The name is sometimes
erroneously applied to the American skunk.
