Mammal · GBIF taxon 5218987
Least Weasel
Mustela nivalisAlso known as Little Weasel, Common Weasel
Least weasels are the world's smallest carnivorans, burning energy so rapidly that they must consume up to half their body weight in food every day. Their long, slender bodies enable them to pursue voles and mice directly into tight underground burrows. In northern latitudes, these hyperactive predators shed their brown summer fur for pure white winter coats to stay camouflaged in the snow.
CarnivoreSmall MammalAgile
Licensed referenceKeven Law / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Voles
- Mice
- Shrews
Predators
- Owls
- Hawks
- Foxes
ThreatsHabitat loss, rodenticide poisoning, predation by raptors
HabitatsGrasslands, open forests, tundra, farmland, scrublands
Life span1–3 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyMustelidae
- SpeciesMustela nivalis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of a sharp bite if cornered or handled; observe from a respectful distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Delivers a painful bite with sharp teeth when cornered or restrained.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Tiny, tube-shaped body with reddish-brown upperparts, white belly, and short tail lacking a black tip.
- What to do
- Do not attempt to touch or trap wild individuals; leave clear escape routes open.
Responsible observation
- Spotting: Scan stone walls, log piles, and field margins where rodents nest.
- Behavior: Expect rapid, jerky movements as they dart between patches of cover.
Close Relative (c) E. A., some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by E. A. · cc-by
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