[1] Marbled polecats are generally found in the drier areas and grasslands of southeastern Europe to western China.

Ranging in length from 29–35 cm (head and body), the marbled polecat has a short muzzle and very large, noticeable ears.

Its range includes Ukraine, Bulgaria, Georgia, Turkey, Romania, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, north-western Pakistan, Yugoslavia, Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan, North-Siberian Altai steppes.

[7] Marbled polecats are found in open desert, semidesert, and semiarid rocky areas in upland valleys and low hill ranges, steppe country, and arid subtropical scrub forest.

[6] To excavate burrows, the marbled polecat digs out earth with its forelegs while anchoring itself with its chin and hind legs.

[11] Burrows of large ground squirrels or similar rodents such as the great gerbil (Rhombomys opimus) and Libyan jird (Meriones libycus) are used by marbled polecats for resting and breeding.

[4] Delayed implantation allows marbled polecats to time the birth of their cubs for favorable conditions, such as when prey is abundant.

[5] Marbled polecats are known to eat ground squirrels, Libyan jirds (Meriones libycus), Armenian hamsters (Cricetulus migratorius), voles, Palestine mole-rats (Spalax lecocon ehrenbergi), house mice (Mus musculus), and other rodents, small hares, birds, lizards, fish, frogs, snails, and insects (beetles and crickets), as well as fruit and grass.

[5][9][10][6] They are also recorded as taking small domestic poultry such as chickens and pigeons, as well as stealing smoked meat and cheese.

[9][12][13] In 2008, the marbled polecat was classified as a vulnerable species in the IUCN Red List due to a population reduction of at least 30% in the previous 10 years.