Wednesday 30 August 2006 Long-tailed weasel

The Long-tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata) is the most widespread Mustelid of the Americas, it ranges from north of South America to the south of Canada. Once thought to be nocturnal, it also hunts by day, primarily on voles. They are known for their zig-zag pattern hunting from burrow to burrow. The reason why weasels in a chicken yard, may kill all the chickens (more than it needs), is because its instinct dictates it should procure food when available and store it afterwards. When weasels drag their rump on the ground, they are thought to leave a scent to let other weasels know its sex and maybe even its identity. The Long-tailed Weasel is hunted by hawks, owls, cats, foxes, and snakes... You can help spreading the word about this animal by liking it on facebook

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Tuesday 29 August 2006 Eastern Quoll

The Eastern Quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) is a carnivorous marsupial of Australia, where it is extinct on the mainland of Australia, and only extant on Tasmania. With the size of a small cat, the Eastern Quoll hunts at night on insects and small rodents and fruit. The dens of the eastern quoll are usually in caves and hollow logs or trees. They are threatened by illegal poisoning by humans and feral cats and dogs and the destruction of their habitat. They are under tight legislation in Tasmania as a threatened species.

Picture of the Eastern Quoll licensed under GFDL

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