Mustela nivalis
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Status: Unprotected predator.
Identifying Characteristics: The smallest weasel and smallest
carnivore in North America. Similar to other weasels in color and body
form. Males are larger than females. Fur is brown above and whitish
below during summer. Entirely white during winter. No black tip at
end of short tail Total length: less than 10 inches. Weight: 1 to 3
ounces.
Habitat: Variety of habitats, including meadows, fields, brushy areas, and
open woods. Avoids dense forest, prefers ecotones. Abundance of
small mammals is important in determining the local distribution of least
weasels.
Food Habits: Feeds almost entirely on mice. Small enough to pursue
rodents into runways, burrows, and nest chambers.
Life History: Most active at night. With abundant food sometimes
produces more than one litter per year. Breeds year round; young born any
time of the year; delayed implantation does not occur; litter size usually 4 to
5.
Similar Species: Much smaller than the short or long-tailed weasel.
both short and long-tailed weasels have black tip on tail.
Further Information
