Long-tailed weasel : North Carolina wildlife profiles

' NORTH ' CAROLINA Long-tailed Weasel North Carolina Wildlife Profiles Photo Gerald Rozemeijer Long-tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata) There are two species of weasels in North Carolina, the least weasel and the long-tailed weasel. The long-tailed weasel is the larger and more widely distributed of the two species. Biologists have described the long-tailed weasel as the purist of carnivores, as every feature of their body and behavior is adapted to live exclusively as a hunter. In short, they are effective rodent-harvesting machines. Description With long, slender bodies, short legs and flattish pointed heads, long-tailed weasels are adapted to burrowing underground to catch prey or create homes. The origin of their Latin name likely derived from their small, slender stature; Mustek means a “mus (mouse) as long as a telum (spear).” Normally brown, with a white or tan underbody, these weasels can have facial and body markings dependent on their habitat. Their large rounded ears he flat on their head and their tails make up 40-70% of their entire body length. They are agile swimmers and climbers, and their running has been described as small bolts of brown lightning. History and Status The long-tailed weasel arose in North America approximately 2 million years ago and thrived during the Ice Age. The weasel’s ancestors were larger than the current form, and underwent a reduction in size that helped them exploit the new' food sources available in North America. Its small size and long body allowed the weasel to easily maneuver beneath snow', as w'ell as hunt in burrow's and runways of voles, mice, and lemmings. The long-tailed weasel is classified as a fur-bearing animal in North Carolina and can be trapped during the regulated furbearer trapping season. For more information on this species, including status and any applicable regula¬ tions, visit www.ncwaldlife.org/long- tailed- weasel. Habitats & Habits Long-tailed weasels can be found in a variety of habitats, including thickets, forests, marshes, and open farm lands, but appear to be partially restricted to the vi¬ cinity of water. They are mainly limited by the abundance and distribution of small prey populations. Due to their small size, weasels have high metabolic demands and their populations arc sensitive to fluxes in prey populations. To meet their metabol¬ ic demands, they are proficient and active hunters; if several prey are available they will catch as many as they can and cache the surplus for later consumption. Weasels hunt by using smell, hearing and sight, likely in that order, and they systematically search an area, exploring logs, tree trunks, cavities, crevices, and The long-tailed weasel is found throughout North Carolina but is seldom seen due to its solitary and secretive nature. Pfioto David A. Mitchell Range and Distribution The long-tailed weasel has populations extend from southern Canada through North America, Central America, and into north¬ ern South America. It is found statewide in North Carolina. Range Map