Michael Jackson might’ve brought the moonwalk to the world, but this little zorilla outperformed all.
Western Cape, South Africa (16 March 2026) – African polecats – otherwise known as Cape polecat, striped polecat, or zorilla – aren’t commonly spotted by humans in the wild.
They’re nocturnal, secretive and solitary critters. Under the cover of nightfall is when they do their best work – and, as we’ve just learned, when they bust out their best dance moves.
The Landmark Leopard & Predator Project, a local conservation NGO that promotes and facilitates conservation land uses and rewilding, recently shared a video of an African polecat caught on a camera trap.
It moonwalks!
“Looks like the moonwalk didn’t start with Michael Jackson after all! This African polecat seems to have perfected its own version, smoothly sliding out of the camera trap,” the organisation shared.
Occurring across many different habitats on the continent, the African polecat looks very similar to a skunk – even when threatened, it can let out a foul-smelling secretion from its anal glands, almost like skunks do – but they’re actually part of the weasel family, and much smaller than America’s skunks are.
They’re carnivorous little hunters – of rats, mice, insects, lizards and even snakes – and seek shelter in other species’ burrows, in rocky outcrops, or among thick vegetation.
Moonwalking isn’t the only skill these little guys have in their wheelhouse. Apparently, they also have fascinating habitats during breeding season. Males will spray their environment with a strong-scented chemical to mark their territory and vie for a female’s attention. If successful in his courting, a rather unusual mating ceremony begins, where he and the female stand on their hind legs and rotate around each other in tight circles. Almost like they’re dancing!
Sources: Linked above.
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