Main Characteristics

Long-Tailed Weasels have a body length between 28 and 42 cms (11 - 16.5 inches), a tail length between 11 and 29 cms (4.3 - 11.4 inches) and they weigh between 80 and 450 g (2.8 - 15.9 oz).

They have a long, slender body and their short fur is brown in colour with a yellowish underside.

Long-Tailed Weasels are alert and agile. They are good at both climbing and swimming.

Habitat

Long-Tailed Weasels can be found in temperate and tropical habitats from North to South America.

Diet

Long-Tailed Weasels mainly feed on rodents, but they will also eat lizards, small birds and fruits.

Breeding

After a gestation period of around 280 days, which includes a period of delayed implantation, Long-Tailed Weasels give birth to a litter of 4 - 8 young. At 5 - 6 weeks old the youngsters are weaned and by the time they reach 2 months old they are able to kill prey for themselves. They reach sexual maturity at 3 - 12 months old.

Predators

Predators of Long-Tailed Weasels include coyotes, owls, birds of prey, and large snakes.

Subspecies

There are many subspecies of the Long-Tailed Weasel:

Mustela frenata affinis
Mustela frenata agilis
Mustela frenata alleni
Mustela frenata altifrontalis
Mustela frenata arizonensis
Mustela frenata arthuri
Mustela frenata aureoventris
Mustela frenata boliviensis
Mustela frenata costaricensis
Mustela frenata effera
Mustela frenata frenata
Mustela frenata goldmani
Mustela frenata gracilis
Mustela frenata helleri
Mustela frenata inyoensis
Mustela frenata latirostra
Mustela frenata leucoparia
Mustela frenata longicauda
Mustela frenata macrophonius
Mustela frenata munda
Mustela frenata neomexicanus
Mustela frenata nevadensis
Mustela frenata nicaraguae
Mustela frenata nigriauris
Mustela frenata notius
Mustela frenata noveboracensis
Mustela frenata occisor
Mustela frenata olivacea
Mustela frenata oregonensis
Mustela frenata oribasus
Mustela frenata panamensis
Mustela frenata peninsulae
Mustela frenata perda
Mustela frenata perotae
Mustela frenata primulina
Mustela frenata pulchra
Mustela frenata saturata
Mustela frenata spadix
Mustela frenata texensis
Mustela frenata tropicalis
Mustela frenata washingtoni
Mustela frenata xanthogenys

Interesting Facts

Long-Tailed Weasels are one of the most widespread mustelids.

Similar Animals

African Striped Weasel
Back-Striped Weasel
Colombian Weasel
Least Weasel
Japanese Weasel
Indonesian Mountain Weasel
Taiwan High Mountain Weasel
Yellow-Bellied Weasel