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Least Weasel

Mammals

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Mustela nivalis

Basic stats

Diet

Mainly mouse-like rodents; also rabbits, birds, eggs, fish, and frogs

Habitat

Fields, open woodland, scrub, rocky ground, parks, and gardens

Range

Holarctic; present in central Asia

Litter size

Usually about 6

Gestation period

34–37 days

The least weasel is the smallest member of Mustela. It has an extremely slender elongated body, very short legs, and a short tail without the black tip of a stoat. Upperparts are normally brown and the underparts white, divided by a fairly straight boundary. Northern and high-altitude animals may become entirely white in winter. Size, tail proportion, and coat pattern vary widely over its vast range, so the short unmarked tail remains the most useful distinction from an ermine when both wear white winter coats. (Wikipedia, general species account)

Least weasels occupy fields, open woodland, scrub, rocky ground, parks and gardens. They specialise in pursuing mice, voles, hamsters and gerbils through narrow tunnels, while also taking rabbits, birds, eggs, fish and frogs. Existing holes are used for sleeping, storing prey and raising young. Breeding occurs in spring and summer; females alone rear a litter averaging about six after a 34–37-day gestation (Wikipedia, general species account). The Korean catalogue records the species in South Korea.

Quick answers

What does the Least Weasel eat?
Mainly mouse-like rodents; also rabbits, birds, eggs, fish, and frogs
What habitat does the Least Weasel live in?
Fields, open woodland, scrub, rocky ground, parks, and gardens
Where is the Least Weasel found?
Holarctic; present in central Asia
What is the litter size of the Least Weasel?
Usually about 6
How long is the gestation period of the Least Weasel?
34–37 days
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