Least weasel

Description

The least weasel is the smallest carnivore in the world. It has an extremely long, slim body, short legs and a short tail, perfect adaptations for slipping into rodent tunnels. Its coat is reddish-brown above and white below, with a sharp dividing line. In mountain populations the fur may turn partly or wholly white in winter, like the stoat, from which it differs by its shorter tail without a black tip.

Habitat and distribution

It occurs across Eurasia, North Africa and North America, in a great variety of habitats: fields, woods, hedgerows, dry-stone walls and even farmland and gardens. It is found from lowlands to high altitudes, wherever small rodents are plentiful.

Behaviour

It is a tireless predator with a very fast metabolism: it must eat a lot and often to sustain its tiny body. It hunts mainly voles and mice, which it pursues through underground galleries, but also takes small birds and eggs. It is active by both day and night, in short cycles of hunting and rest.

Did you know?

Despite its minute size, the least weasel can bring down prey larger than itself. Its slim body, however, also makes it very vulnerable to cold and hunger, which explains its short, frenetic life.

Conservation

It is classed as least concern, owing to its wide distribution and great adaptability. It is a valuable natural ally of agriculture, keeping rodent populations in check.

(Note: the mass value given by Wikidata, 1.4 kg, is clearly wrong: the least weasel actually weighs about 30–250 grams.)