Weasel

Weasels Mustela nivalis are the smallest of Mustelidae family, a family which includes Badgers, Otters, Mink, Ferrets, Stoats and Pine Martens. A large male Weasel may be mistaken for a female Stoat except for the shorter tail and the lack of a black tip.

The Weasel is a fantastic mouse hunter, their small size and agility allow them to chase their prey down small holes. At usually around 20cm long Weasels are daring predators taking on small rabbits as well climbing to take bird eggs and fledglings.

The life of the weasel is short and fast, born blind as one of a litter of around six they are weaned at a month old, at two months they are operating as a pack out hunting with their mother and by three months old they are alone in the world, often to be taken by birds of prey, foxes and other large predators.

Weasels are considered pests by poultry farmers and game keepers, if necessary traps may be used to catch these admiral little hunters.

Weasel

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