Ictonyx striata

9.9

A small African mammal like a ferret with bold black and white stripes

noun

Specialized

: Ictonyx striata

The Ictonyx striata is easily recognized by its bold black and white stripes.

Examples

Unlike skunks, the Ictonyx striata uses a powerful odor primarily for defense against predators.
Farmers sometimes keep Ictonyx striata to help control rodent populations.
The Ictonyx striata is often found in grasslands.
Ictonyx striata can be seen in various African regions.
Farmers sometimes keep Ictonyx striata to help control rodent populations.
The Ictonyx striata is easily recognized by its bold black and white stripes.
Unlike skunks, the Ictonyx striata uses a powerful odor primarily for defense against predators.

Synonyms

striped muishond

vsIctonyx striata

South African

9.9

A small ferret-like African animal with black-and-white fur that people sometimes keep as a pet

is the named species noted for ferret-like size and often tamed

Ictonyx frenata

vsIctonyx striata

Specialized

9.9

A small African animal that eats meat and has black and white stripes

is the species often tamed and described by size rather than range

Surface Forms

Ictonyx striata singular

Ictonyx striatas plural

Morphology

Ictonyx + striata

This is a scientific Latin binomial (a genus + species) rather than a normal compositional English phrase; B1 learners who know ordinary English words would not routinely know Latin species-formation rules or recognize 'Ictonyx' as a genus. Although 'striata' resembles English 'striated/striped', taxonomic names and proper nouns are not transparently interpretable by average learners, so the overall meaning ('striped polecat') cannot be reliably derived from the parts.

Etymology

Ictonyx striata comes from older words that name a weasel-like animal and mean 'striped'. The part striata means 'striped', so the full name gives a clear picture of the animal's bold black-and-white stripes and helps you remember it is the striped polecat.