The Least Weasel (Mustela nivalis) is the smallest living carnivore on the planet! Its length rarely exceeds 23 centimeters. It has reddish-ginger fur, which is brighter than that of most other weasels, with white belly fur. In the northern parts of its range it has pure white fur in winter, as camouflage for snow and therefore is called the Snow Weasel in some northern regions, and is called Snow Mouse in Norway and Sweden. They live highly solitair and even mating does not go without a fight!
The Least weasel, weasel is listed as Least Concern (LR/lc), lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category, on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Namings for the least weasel
The females are called 'bitch, doe or jill' and males 'buck, dog, hub or jack'. A least weasel group is called a 'boogle'.Countries
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, North, Korea, South, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and UzbekistanLeast weasel habitats
Subarctic forestSome facts about the
Common weasel
Adult weight : 0.047 kg (0.1034 lbs)
Maximum longevity : 9 years
Female maturity :120 days
Male maturity : 120 days
Gestation : 36 days
Weaning : 39 days
Litter size : 5
Litters per year : 2
Interval between litters : 200 days
Weight at birth : 0.003 kg (0.0066 lbs)
Weight at weaning : 0.044 kg (0.0968 lbs)
Custom Search