What is a domesticated pole cat?

The term "domesticated pole cat" can be confusing because it's not a specific breed. Here's a breakdown:

Polecat refers to the European polecat (Mustela putorius), a wild animal related to weasels and ferrets. They are typically found in Europe and Asia.

Domestication is the process of breeding animals for human use over generations, resulting in changes in their behavior and physical characteristics.

While some people refer to domesticated ferrets as "pole cats" or "domesticated pole cats," this isn't technically accurate. Domesticated ferrets are actually a subspecies of the European polecat, specifically Mustela putorius furo.

Here's the key distinction:

* European Polecat (Mustela putorius): Wild animal, typically found in Europe and Asia.

* Domesticated Ferret (Mustela putorius furo): A subspecies of the European polecat, bred for domestication and companionship.

So, while the terms "pole cat" and "domesticated pole cat" are sometimes used to refer to ferrets, it's more accurate to call them domesticated ferrets.