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Long-tailed Weasel - Neogale frenata
Other Names:
Mustela frenata
Native Species
Global Rank:
G5
State Rank:
S5
(see State Rank Reason below)
Agency Status
USFWS:
USFS:
BLM:
External Links
State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
Species is common and widely distributed. It may have undergone moderate declines in the past decade and faces no known significant threats.
General Description
Largest and most widely distributed of the three Northern American weasels. Distinguished by its long, slender body and long neck. Longest tail of the North American weasels. During summer fur rich brown on the back and sides with yellowish-white under-parts, black tip on tail, and no whitish line down inside of leg. Acquires a white winter coat. Adult males noticeably larger than females. Total length: 11 to 16.5 inches. Weight: three to 12 ounces.
Diagnostic Characteristics
Short-tailed Weasel has white line down inside of leg and is smaller. Least Weasel does not have black tip on tail and is smaller. American Mink is nearly uniform dark brown. Marten is heavier and much larger.
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Native
Western Hemisphere Range
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 562
(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version)
Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density
Recency
(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)
Migration
Non-migratory.
Habitat
Found in almost all land habitats near water. Has the broadest ecological and geographical range of the North American weasels. Prefers areas with abundant prey. Avoids dense forest, most abundant in late seral ecotones. Primarily nocturnal, but sometimes active during the day. Quite fearless and curious. Mainly terrestrial but can climb and swim well. Nests in old burrows of other animals. Occupies a diverse range of habitats. More prone to open country and forest openings than M. erminea. Common in intermontane valleys and open forests where M. erminea is absent. May occur up to alpine tundra (Hoffmann and Pattie 1968).
National Vegetation Classification System Groups Associated with this Species
Alpine
Alpine - Vegetated
Forest and Woodland
Deciduous Forest and Woodland
Low Elevation - Xeric Forest and Woodland
Montane - Subalpine Forest and Woodland
Shrubland
Arid - Saline Shrubland
Foothills - Montane Shrubland
Sagebrush Shrubland
Grassland
Lowland - Prairie Grassland
Montane - Subalpine Grassland
Sparse and Barren
Sparse and Barren
Wetland and Riparian
Alkaline - Saline Wetlands
Alpine Riparian and Wetland
Peatland
Riparian and Wetland Forest
Riparian Shrubland
Wet Meadow and Marsh
Recently Disturbed or Modified
Harvested Forest
Insect-Killed Forest
Introduced Vegetation
Recently Burned
Human Land Use
Agriculture
Developed
Food Habits
More of a generalist than the Short-tailed and Least Weasels. Feeds mostly on small mammals up to rabbit-sized, but eats birds and other animals as well. Males: rabbits, tree squirrels, and ground squirrels. FeMales: mice and chipmunks. Dietary componenets overlap. Both sexes will occasionally use birds, herptiles, and insects (Jones et al. 1983).
Ecology
Weasels will cache prey. This permits food storage without obesity, facilitating ability to pursue prey in narrow burrows. Males about 10 to 15% larger than females (Svendsen 1982).
Reproductive Characteristics
Mates during summer, 205- to 337-day gestation; delayed implantation; young born during April; litter size four to nine.
Stewardship Responsibility
References
- Literature Cited AboveLegend:
View Online Publication
Hoffmann, R.S. and D.L. Pattie. 1968. A guide to Montana mammals: identification, habitat, distribution, and abundance. Missoula, MT: University of Montana. 133 p.- Jones, J.K., D.M. Armstrong, R.S. Hoffmann and C. Jones. 1983. Mammals of the northern Great Plains. University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln. 379 pp.
- Svendsen, G. E. 1982. Weasels. Pp. 613-628 in: Hapman, J. A. and G. A. Feldhamer (eds). Wild mammals of North America. John Hopkins Univ. Press, Baltimore. 1147 pp.
- Additional ReferencesLegend: View Online Publication
Do you know of a citation we're missing?- Anaconda Minerals Company, and Camp, Dresser & McKee. 1981. Anaconda Stillwater Project 6-month environmental baseline report. CDM Project No. 3139. Vol. I Appendix. Jan. 15, 1981.
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