Granted, there is only one
polecat described in the Redwall series, and
that is Malkariss of Mattimeo. However,
to describe the ferret below, one must describe its
ancestor the polecat. Now the polecat described
in this series is the European Polecat (Mustela
putorious). With the exception of the endangered Black-Footed
Ferret (Mustela nigripes) of N. America, there
are no polecats in N. America. The European polecat, then
is a brown mustelid with darker limbs and a dark
facial mask. Now Malkariss was described as a white
polecat. I know that in many older dictionaries,
the ferret is described as being a domesticated form
of the European polecat that is usally white.
This means that either BJ confused ferret with polecats
or Malkariss was albino. It is difficult to say,
but I will opt for the latter.
