The Least Weasel, Mustela nivalis, is the smallest member of the genus Mustela, family Mustelidae, and order Carnivora. Also known as little weasel and common weasel, the species is native to Eurasia, North America, and North Africa; it has also been introduced to various other places throughout the Northern Hemisphere. With 18 subspecies recognized, geographic location influences the least weasel’s color, pelage type, length of tail, and size. A large part of its diet includes small rodents, but they also eat rabbits, other mammals, and occasionally birds, birds’ eggs, and frogs.
The Least Weasel has a body length in the range of 5.9”-9.5” (15-24 cm) and total weight of 1.2-2.5 oz (35-70 g). Least Weasels have a shoulder height between 1.8”-2.75” (4.5-7 cm), body width of 1.6”-2.6” (4-6.5 cm), and tail length of .8”-3.5” (2-9 cm). The typical lifespan of the Least Weasel is between 2-9 years.
The Least Weasel, Mustela nivalis, is the smallest member of the genus Mustela, family Mustelidae, and order Carnivora. Also known as little weasel and common weasel, the species is native to Eurasia, North America, and North Africa; it has also been introduced to various other places throughout the Northern Hemisphere. With 18 subspecies recognized, geographic location influences the least weasel’s color, pelage type, length of tail, and size. A large part of its diet includes small rodents, but they also eat rabbits, other mammals, and occasionally birds, birds’ eggs, and frogs.
The Least Weasel has a body length in the range of 5.9”-9.5” (15-24 cm) and total weight of 1.2-2.5 oz (35-70 g). Least Weasels have a shoulder height between 1.8”-2.75” (4.5-7 cm), body width of 1.6”-2.6” (4-6.5 cm), and tail length of .8”-3.5” (2-9 cm). The typical lifespan of the Least Weasel is between 2-9 years.
