The Weasel is a carnivorous mammal of the family Mustelidae, which feeds mainly on mice, voles and rats.
There are 17 species, and they live all over the world except for Antarctica and Australasia.
Of the 17 extant species currently classified in the genus Mustela, 10 have "weasel" in their common names. Among those that do not are the ferret, the European mink, the polecat and the stoat.
A group of weasels may be referred to as a "boogle", "confusion", "gang" or "pack".
Weasels have an elongated body, short legs and tail. They vary in length from 173 to 217 mm (6.8 to 8.5 in).
The least weasel is the world’s smallest mamilian carnivore. Average body length in males is 130 to 260 mm (5 to 10 in), while females average 114 to 204 mm (4.5 to 8.0 in).
The weasel fur is red or brown, but in winter in cold climates it turns white, as camouflage against snow.
Weasels are small, active predators. Their body shape is adapted to going down burrows after prey such as rabbits.
Weasels have been known to kill prey up to ten times their size.
They are adept hunters that eat around 40% of their body weight each day.
Aside from when they are mating or weaning young, weasels are solitary animals that fend for themselves in the wild.
A weasel can be pregnant for anything from 35 to 337 days. Once an egg has been fertilised, implantation of the embryo — when the young weasel, or kit, begins to grow in the womb — is often delayed until closer to spring, and warmer weather, giving it a greater chance of survival.
Source Havahart
There are 17 species, and they live all over the world except for Antarctica and Australasia.
Of the 17 extant species currently classified in the genus Mustela, 10 have "weasel" in their common names. Among those that do not are the ferret, the European mink, the polecat and the stoat.
A group of weasels may be referred to as a "boogle", "confusion", "gang" or "pack".
Weasels have an elongated body, short legs and tail. They vary in length from 173 to 217 mm (6.8 to 8.5 in).
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| Pixiebay |
The least weasel is the world’s smallest mamilian carnivore. Average body length in males is 130 to 260 mm (5 to 10 in), while females average 114 to 204 mm (4.5 to 8.0 in).
The weasel fur is red or brown, but in winter in cold climates it turns white, as camouflage against snow.
Weasels are small, active predators. Their body shape is adapted to going down burrows after prey such as rabbits.
Weasels have been known to kill prey up to ten times their size.
They are adept hunters that eat around 40% of their body weight each day.
Aside from when they are mating or weaning young, weasels are solitary animals that fend for themselves in the wild.
 |
| Pixiebay |
A weasel can be pregnant for anything from 35 to 337 days. Once an egg has been fertilised, implantation of the embryo — when the young weasel, or kit, begins to grow in the womb — is often delayed until closer to spring, and warmer weather, giving it a greater chance of survival.
Source Havahart
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