Where does the least weasel live?
The least weasel lives in Eurasia, North America and North Africa. It has been introduced to New Zealand, Malta, Crete, the Azores and São Tomé. It varies greatly in size over its range. Its coat is usually brown above and white below, with a straight line between the two colours. At high altitudes and in the northern part of its range, the coat becomes pure white in winter. Eighteen subspecies are recognised.
What does the least weasel eat?
Small rodents form the largest part of its diet, but it also kills and eats rabbits, other mammals and occasionally birds, eggs, fish and frogs. Males mark their territories with olfactory signals and have exclusive home ranges, which may intersect with or include several female ranges. Its body is thin, greatly elongated and extremely flexible, with relatively short legs and tail.
Is the least weasel endangered?
No: the IUCN lists it as Least Concern, due to its wide distribution and large population throughout the Northern Hemisphere. It is the smallest member of the genus Mustela. It looks a lot like the stoats, but is smaller, with a shorter tail without a black tip.
