August 2021 - 21
LEAST WEASEL
The smallest true carnivore in the world, the
least weasel is 7 to 8 inches long, including the
tail. Its body is slim, roughly the diameter of a
mouse or vole.
Its summer coat, also called pelage, is a rich,
chocolate brown with white under parts that
stretch from the lower lip to the base of the
tail. The tail is short, about 1.5 inches, and
does not have a black tip. During winter in
the northern portions of their range, they turn
completely white.
The least weasel is a true mouser; its small,
slender body makes it very easy for this carnivore
to follow its main prey species, mice and voles,
directly into their burrows, tunnels under the
snow or through heavy grass. If this little weasel
species kills more prey than it can eat, it stores the
extra in a safe place. Some dens have been found
with 20 or more rodents stored for later use.
LONG-TAILED WEASEL
The long-tailed weasel is the largest of the
three species of weasels living in Wyoming. Males
are 14 to 18 inches long including their 4 to 6
inch tail. Females are slightly smaller measuring
12 to 14 inches. Its range is from southern Canada
to northern South America. Its preferred habitat
is open grasslands that hold large populations
of voles and mice. Long-tailed weasels are not
very plentiful in the higher mountain ranges. Like
least weasels, their pelage is seasonally variable,
changing from brown above and buff below to
pure white in winter in their northern locations.
The tip of the tail is black all year and is especially
easy to see in the winter months.
Male long-tailed weasels range from 14 to 18 inches long. Females are 12 to 14 inches long. (Photo by Francis Bergquist)
The short-tailed weasel is one of the more common carnivores in Wyoming. (Photo by Francis Bergquist)
SHORT-TAILED WEASEL
The short-tailed weasel, or ermine, is larger
than the least and smaller than the long-tailed
weasel. Males are 10 to 12 inches long and females
are 7 to 9 inches long. According to the book,
" Wild Mammals of Wyoming and Yellowstone
National Park, " the short-tailed weasel is one of
the most common carnivores in Wyoming. Yet,
it is not well studied nor commonly seen. The
short-tailed weasel is usually considered a mountain
species and is commonly found in talus fields
above the tree line. During winter, this weasel lives
under deep snow moving through tunnels formed
by its prey species and under logs, shrubs and
rock slides. This is a highly predacious mammal,
feeding on rodents, pikas, birds and, when they
can find it, carrion.
Wyoming Wildlife | 21
At 7 to 8 inches long the least weasel is the smallest true carnivore in the word. (Adobe Stock Photo)
August 2021
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