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In the UK, the term "weasel" usually refers to the smallest species, the least weasel (M. nivalis), [1] the smallest carnivoran species. [2] Least weasels vary in length from 173 to 217 mm (6 + 3 ⁄ 4 to 8 + 1 ⁄ 2 in), [3] females being smaller than the males, and usually have red or brown upper coats and white bellies; some populations of ...
Genus Mustela – Linnaeus, 1758 – fifteen species Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population Back-striped weasel. M. strigidorsa Gray, 1855: Parts of southeast Asia: Size: 30–36 cm (12–14 in) long, plus 18–20 cm (7–8 in) tail [83] Habitat: Forest and shrubland [84]
Sthenictis sp. (American Museum of Natural History). Mustelids vary greatly in size and behaviour. The smaller variants of the least weasel can be under 20 cm (8 in) in length, while the giant otter of Amazonian South America can measure up to 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in) and sea otters can exceed 45 kg (99 lb) in weight.
The least weasel is the product of a process begun 5–7 million years ago, when northern forests were replaced by open grassland, thus prompting an explosive evolution of small, burrowing rodents. The weasel's ancestors were larger than the current form, and underwent a reduction in size to exploit the new food source.
Reptiles and amphibians are typically eaten at the periphery of the Siberian weasel's range. Plant foods known to be eaten by Siberian weasels include pine nuts and Actinidia fruits. They typically eat about 100–120 grams (3.5–4.2 oz) of food daily, and cache excess food. [6] In urban areas in China, Siberian weasels prey extensively on rats.
Pages in category "Weasels" The following 35 pages are in this category, out of 35 total. This list may not reflect recent changes. ...
Yellow-bellied weasels eat birds, mice, rats, voles, and other small mammals. [citation needed] Yellow-bellied weasels first build a den in the ground. Breeding occurs annually. Mating occurs in late spring or early summer. Females are pregnant for about ten months. The female gives birth to 3–18 kits in April or May.
The long-tailed weasel was originally described in the genus Mustela with the name Mustela frenata by Hinrich Lichtenstein in 1831. [3] [4] In 1993, the classification, Mustela frenata, was accepted into the second edition of the Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference, which was published by the Smithsonian Institution Press. [4]