The striped polecat (Ictonyx striatus, also called the African polecat, zoril, zorille or zorilla) is a member of the Mustelidae family (weasels) which somewhat resembles a skunk. It is found in savannahs and open country in sub-saharan Africa excluding the Congo basin and west Africa.

Like other polecats, this carnivore is nocturnal. It has several means of avoiding predators - including the ability to emit foul-smelling secretions from its anal glands, playing dead and climbing trees. The animal is mainly black but has four prominent white stripes running from the head, along the back to the tail. The striped polecat is typically 60 centimeters long including a 20-centimeter tail. It lives for up to 13 years.

The Guinness Book of Animal Records claims a zorilla once kept nine lions at bay while it was scavenging their kill, to illustrate the claim it is indeed the worst-smelling animal.

The striped polecat is solitary, tolerating contact with others only to mate. Young are generally born between September and December, with one to three young per litter.