Main Characteristics

Greater Grisons belong to the family mustelidae. They have a body length between 47 and 55 cms (18.5 - 22 inches), a tail length between 14 and 20 cms (5.5 - 8 inches) and they weigh between 1.5 and 2 kgs (3.25 - 4.5 lbs).

They have a long body, a slim pointed head and a relatively short tail. They are gray in colour with a black muzzle, throat, chest and underside. They have a white, "U" shaped marking that runs around the top of their head and it tapers off towards their shoulder. They are mainly active at night but they are also sometimes active in the morning.

They are agile runners, swimmers and climbers and they communicate by a variety of snorts, screams, barks and growls.

Habitat

Greater Grisons live in a variety of habitats including the savannas, grasslands, rainforests and evergreen forests of southern Mexico, central and south America. They are usually found near water and they live in rocks, under tree roots or vacated burrows. They are either solitary or they live in a male/female pair. Their home range is approximately 4.2 sq.kms (2.6 sq. miles).

Diet

Greater Grisons mainly feed on small vertebrates, including fish, amphibians, birds and small mammals. They also sometimes feed on fruit.

They kill their prey by giving them a swift bite to the back of the neck.

Breeding

During October, and after a 40 day gestation period, female Greater Grison give birth to 2 - 4 young.

Predators

Predators of the Greater Grison are unknown.

Interesting Facts

Grison comes from the french "gris" which means grey.