Weasel

Weasel is a mammal that belongs to the genus Mustela of the family Mustelidae. The term is often used to refer to the genus as a whole, but it can also specifically refer to certain species within the genus, such as the least weasel (Mustela nivalis).

Description

Weasels vary in length from 173 to 217 mm (6.8 to 8.5 in), females being smaller than the males, and usually have red or brown upper coats and white bellies; some populations of some species moult to a wholly white coat in winter. They have long, slender bodies, which enable them to follow their prey into burrows. Their tails may be from 34 to 52 mm (1.3 to 2.0 in) long.

Weasels feed on small mammals and have from time to time been considered vermin because some species took poultry from farms or rabbits from commercial warrens. They do, on the other hand, eat large numbers of rodents. They can be found all across the world except for Antarctica, Australia, and neighbouring islands.

Species

The genus Mustela includes the following species:

• Stoat or ermine (Mustela erminea)
• Steppe polecat (Mustela eversmanii)
• Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes)
• European mink (Mustela lutreola)
• Least weasel (Mustela nivalis)
• Mountain weasel (Mustela altaica)
• Malayan weasel (Mustela nudipes)
• Indonesian mountain weasel (Mustela lutreolina)
• Yellow-bellied weasel (Mustela kathiah)

See also

• List of mustelids
• Ferret
• Mink
• Polecat
• Marten

Weasel Resources
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