 The Weasel, Mustela nivalis |
The Weasel, Mustela nivalis, belongs to the Mustelidae family, which also includes stoats, ferrets, polecats, and otters. These mammals are characterized by their long, slender bodies and short legs. The weasel has a russet-brown back paired with a creamy white throat and belly. Compared to the slightly larger stoat, the weasel has a shorter tail without a black tip, and it runs with a straight back, whereas stoats tend to bound with an arched back.
Weasels are the smallest carnivorous mammals in the UK, needing to eat about a third of their body weight each day. Their diet is made up of voles, mice, eggs, birds, and small rabbits. Due to their small and slender frame, weasels can easily chase their prey through tunnels.
The typical lifespan of a weasel is about 2 years. They often use old nests from previous prey as their dens, which can hold food remnants from several days’ worth of meals. Weasels generally have a home range that includes multiple dens and resting spots. The size of these ranges increases or decreases based on prey availability. Males and females inhabit different territories, with males having larger ranges. When the population is high, both sexes might defend exclusive territories. In spring, males expand their territory to find mates.
Young females reach maturity around 2-3 months old and can produce up to 2 litters of 3-6 young each year.
Weasels can produce kits annually, influenced by food availability. These animals typically live alone and only come together for mating.
Weasels inhabit diverse environments including urban settings, pastures, woodlands, marshes, and moors across mainland UK. Their presence declines in areas where food is limited, such as high altitudes or thick forests with little ground coverage. Current estimates suggest there are around 450,000 weasels.
Historically, weasels have been viewed as threats to gamebirds, leading gamekeepers to implement strict predator control measures that involve trapping and killing many weasels alongside other carnivorous animals. Although weasels may prey on a few gamebird chicks, the number is likely minimal. In Britain, they lack legal protection. Trapping has little long-term impact, as weasel populations are highly resilient and endure significant natural mortality. During years of rodent scarcity, many weasels may die from starvation, resulting in a few survivors for breeding. Local populations can experience extinctions, yet weasels excel at recolonizing abandoned areas when conditions improve. Their natural predators include foxes and various birds of prey.
Average Lifespan: 2 years
Length: 17-24 cm
Tail: 3-5 cm
Weight: 50-150 g (females are the lightest)
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