Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: Mustelidae
Subfamily: Mustelinae
Genus: Mustela
[scientific classification from Wikipedia.com]
Least weasel: mustela nivalis
If you were to think of a weasel, it probably would be a least weasel |
-Known as simply 'weasel' in the UK
-Smallest in mustela and carnivora
-Fierce hunters; can kill a large rabbit or many mice quickly
-Size in relation to geography ranges to a great extent
Long-tailed weasel: mustela frenata
Long-tailed weasel with snowshoe hare |
-Also known as the bridled weasel or big stoat
-One of the largest mustelids
-Age quickly: weaning process begins at three weeks, and females sexually mature at three or four months
-Lives mostly in the US, but also in parts of Canada and South America
Short-tailed weasel: mustela erminea
Short-tailed weasels are noted for their yellowish underbellies |
-Known as the ermine or stoat
-Well-known for its silky white winter coat and rougher brown summer coat
-Collective noun is gang or pack
-Skull is narrower than other weasels
All of these weasels have a conservation status of Least Concern.