Long Tailed Weasel
Mustela frenata
Written by Kathy Richards
The long tailed weasel weighs 6-12 ounces and have slightly webbed feet. The males are twice as large as the females. They have 1-2 babies in April or May. It can be found throughout the US and Southern Canada south to Peru with the exception of southwestern US and northwestern Mexico.
JoernHauke, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsBEHAVIOR:
The weasel is a very aggressive predator and is very persistent and relentless. They are excellent climbers and can climb a tree vertically or by spiraling around it. By winter they will turn completely white with the exception of a black tip on the tail.
HABITAT:
They live in open woodlands, fencerows in rocky areas or brush piles. They have been known to take over chipmunk burrows and enlarging them. Dens can also be made in natural cervices. The weasel will line its den with fresh grass. They will poop in the den and then cover it with more grass.
FOOD:
The weasel is a carnivore known to eat rats, mice, bats, rabbits, snakes, frogs, insects, birds, worms and carrion (dead animals)
PREDATORS:
People, cats, dogs, coyotes, red fox, large hawks and owls
Check out other animals in the exhibits nearby
Gray Fox
Fisher
Cottontail Rabbit