As one born and raised in the South(TN & AR),I got a real laugh from your list,especially the polecat.Some years ago my wife and ,I along with my youngest son and his wife,were out for a drive when polecat came into the conversation when the D-in Law mentioned them climbing trees.We were caught by surprise and I guess it showed.She then said"Isn't that why they call them polecats?'We all had a big laugh at her expense and she couldn't understand why.This from an Alabama girl.