Long-tailed Weasel
Mustela frenata
Lifespan in the wild is not well
known but in captivity may live up
to 9 years
Identification
• Weighs an average of 5.3 oz
• 8-10.5 inches long
• Males are larger than
females
• The long-tailed weasel has a
small head with long
whiskers, a short neck and
long body
• They have brown fur except
for the yellow fur on its
belly and black tip on its tail
• They are most active at
night
Range
The long-tailed weasel is found across the continental United States and
parts of southern Canada.
Habitat
• The long-tailed weasel
lives in a variety of
habitats but is most
frequently found near a
water source
• They are commonly found
in woodlands, thickets,
fields, suburban areas
and farmland
• They are not found in
dense forests
Diet
• The long-tailed weasel
is a carnivore
• It’s high rate of
metabolism requires it
to eat 40% of its body
weight every day
• It eats small mammals,
birds and insects
• The weasel kills its prey
by crushing its skull
with its teeth
• Weasel store surplus
food
Mating
• The mating season of
the long tailed weasel is
in the summer.
• To attract mates, the
male will release a
strong smelling musk
• If a male smells a
female, he will leave his
territory and chase after
her.
Burrow
• The long-tailed weasel
makes it burrow or nest
in hollow logs, rock
piles, or under manmade structures.
• They have been known
to take over the
abandoned dens of
other animals
The Young
• The females give birth in
the spring to a litter of 4-8
young.
• The babies are born with a
thin covering of fur and are
completely blind
• Their eyes open and are
weaned for 36 days then
the mother takes them
hunting
• They leave their mother
when they are 7-8 weeks
old and search for their own
territory
• Reach maturity in 8-12
months
Predators
• Long-tailed weasels are
hunted by grey and red
foxes, predatory birds
and large snakes
Voice
• The long-tailed weasel uses many different
sounds to communicate including: squeals,
squeaks, barks and purrs
Interesting Facts
• While hunting, the long-tailed weasel may
follow the prey into its own burrow.
• Long-tailed weasels hunt in a zigzag pattern.
• When leaping; the rear feet land exactly in the
tracks of the front feet.
• They can climb trees and are good swimmers
• They release a strong smelling musk when
frightened and are very aggressive when their
territory is invaded
To learn more about CREA please
visit www.creamaine.org
Work Cited
• http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/a
ccounts/information/Mustela_frenata.html
• http://www.extension.org/pages/Weasels
• http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/longtailed
weasel.htm
• http://itech.pjc.edu/sctag/Long_tailed_weasel
/index.htm#reproduction
• http://www.buzzle.com/articles/long-tailedweasel-facts.html
• http://www.auburn.edu/~sah0014/images/LTWe
asel6.jpg
• http://www.mnh.si.edu/lewisandclark/images/lo
ng-tailed_weasel.jpg
• http://www.critterzone.com/animal-picturesnature/stock-photos/BBMA041105_03.jpg
• http://media.independent.com/img/photos/200
9/04/15/Weasel-RG.jpg
• http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/thick
et.htm
• http://www.nps.gov/olym/naturescience/images
/Long-tailed_Weasel250.jpg
• http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/nnuemah/gra
yFox.jpg