The European marbled polecat is a small mustelid with unique color pattern of yellow and brown lines. Head blackish brown with a broad white line extending from below the ears and over the eye to the chest. Hair dense and short. Ears small and broad. Tail covered with dense hair with off-white circles. Forelimbs larger than hind limbs and claws of fore­limbs very well developed. Anal gland secretes odious smell.