Latin Name |
Mustela nivalis |
Conservation Status |
Least Concern |
Location
| N America, Europe, N Africa & Asia |
Colour |
Brown |
Length |
16.5 - 24 cms (6.5 - 9.5 inches) |
Tail |
3 - 9 cms (1.25 - 3.5 inches) |
Weight |
35 - 250 g (1.25 - 9 oz) |
Life Expectancy |
Up to 3 Yrs (Wild) |
Main Characteristics
Least Weasels are the smallest mustelid and also the smallest carnivore. They have a body length between 16.5 and 24 cms (6.5 - 9.5 inches), a tail length between 3 and 9 cms (1.25 - 3.5 inches) and they weigh between 35 and 250 g (1.25 - 9 oz).
They are brown in colour with a white underside. During the winter months those that inhabit northern and eastern areas turn white but those that inhabit southern Europe remain brown.
Their body is long and slim and they have a small flattened head that is barely wider than their neck. This enables them to enter small burrows when hunting for prey.
Habitat
Least Weasels live in a variety of habitats in North America, Europe, north Africa and Asia. They are solitary and are active both during the day and at night. They make nests in crevices, tree roots or abandoned burrows and they have a range of 1 - 25 hectares.
Diet
Least Weasels mainly feed on small rodents such as mice and voles but they will also eat eggs and birds. They need to consume at least one third of their body weight each day in order to survive.
Breeding
During April or May and after a gestation period of 34 - 37 days, 4 - 6 kits are born. When the youngsters are 4 weeks old they are weaned and they are able to hunt at 8 weeks old. They are independent at 9 - 12 weeks old and they reach sexual maturity at 3 - 4 months old.
Predators
Predators of adult Least Weasels are large owls and birds of prey. Youngsters also fall prey to snakes.
Subspecies
Subspecies of the Least Weasel include:
Mustela nivalis nivalis
Mustela nivalis vulgaris
Interesting Facts
Least Weasels are also known as:
Weasel
Stoats and Least Weasels look very alike. They can be distinguished from one another by the black tip on the end of a stoat's tail.
Similar Animals
African Striped Weasel
Back-Striped Weasel
Colombian Weasel
Siberian Weasel
Tropical Weasel
Indonesian Mountain Weasel
Taiwan High Mountain Weasel
Yellow-Bellied Weasel
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