Long-tailed Weasel

Mustela frenataLifespan in the wild is not well

known but in captivity may live up to 9 years

Identification

• Weighs an average of 5.3 oz• 8-10.5 inches long• Males are larger than

females• The long-tailed weasel has a

small head with long whiskers, a short neck and long body

• They have brown fur except for the yellow fur on its belly and black tip on its tail

• They are most active at night

RangeThe long-tailed weasel is found across the continental United States and parts of southern Canada.

Habitat

• The long-tailed weasel lives in a variety of habitats but is most frequently found near a water source

• They are commonly found in woodlands, thickets, fields, suburban areas and farmland

• They are not found in dense forests

Diet• The long-tailed weasel is

a carnivore• It’s high rate of

metabolism requires it to eat 40% of its body weight every day

• It eats small mammals, birds and insects

• The weasel kills its prey by crushing its skull with its teeth

• Weasel store surplus food

Mating

• The mating season of the long tailed weasel is in the summer.

• To attract mates, the male will release a strong smelling musk

• If a male smells a female, he will leave his territory and chase after her.

Burrow

• The long-tailed weasel makes it burrow or nest in hollow logs, rock piles, or under man-made structures.

• They have been known to take over the abandoned dens of other animals

The Young• The females give birth in the

spring to a litter of 4-8 young.• The babies are born with a

thin covering of fur and are completely blind

• Their eyes open and are weaned for 36 days then the mother takes them hunting

• They leave their mother when they are 7-8 weeks old and search for their own territory

• Reach maturity in 8-12 months

Predators

• Long-tailed weasels are hunted by grey and red foxes, predatory birds and large snakes

Voice

• The long-tailed weasel uses many different sounds to communicate including: squeals, squeaks, barks and purrs

Interesting Facts

• While hunting, the long-tailed weasel may follow the prey into its own burrow.

• Long-tailed weasels hunt in a zigzag pattern.• When leaping; the rear feet land exactly in the

tracks of the front feet. • They can climb trees and are good swimmers• They release a strong smelling musk when

frightened and are very aggressive when their territory is invaded

To learn more about CREA please visit www.creamaine.org

Work Cited

• http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Mustela_frenata.html

• http://www.extension.org/pages/Weasels• http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/longtailed

weasel.htm• http://itech.pjc.edu/sctag/Long_tailed_weasel

/index.htm#reproduction• http://www.buzzle.com/articles/long-tailed-w

easel-facts.html

• http://www.auburn.edu/~sah0014/images/LTWeasel6.jpg

• http://www.mnh.si.edu/lewisandclark/images/long-tailed_weasel.jpg

• http://www.critterzone.com/animal-pictures-nature/stock-photos/BBMA041105_03.jpg

• http://media.independent.com/img/photos/2009/04/15/Weasel-RG.jpg

• http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/thicket.htm

• http://www.nps.gov/olym/naturescience/images/Long-tailed_Weasel250.jpg

• http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/nnuemah/grayFox.jpg