The least weasel is the smallest member of the weasel family and among the smallest carnivorous mammals in the world, found across much of North America, Europe, Asia and North Africa, with an extremely elongated, slender body suited for pursuing prey into narrow burrows. Despite its diminutive size, it is a fierce and effective predator of small rodents such as voles and mice, often killing prey much larger than itself with a precise bite to the base of the skull, and its high metabolism means it must eat frequently to survive. In colder parts of its range, the least weasel's fur turns white in winter for camouflage against snow, reverting to brown in summer. The species remains widespread and is classified as being of least concern.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to PeopleInvasive or Introduced Species 3 Living or ExtinctDerived from this species' own Conservation Status: this atlas's IUCN category list has no Extinct value, so a set conservation-status is itself evidence of living status (w-bfill-g5-0924 browse backfill). Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceThe least weasel has a thin, greatly elongated and extremely flexible body with a small, yet elongated, blunt-muzzled head which is no thicker than the neck. 1 Scientific Name Conservation Status Connections
In the Other Atlases
- Also in Geography Atlas: Africa, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Belgium, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Denmark, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: France, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Greece, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Italy, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Kazakhstan, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Kyrgyzstan, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Malta, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: New Zealand, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: North America, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Norway, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Portugal, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Russia, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Sao Tome and Principe, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: South Asia, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Spain, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Sweden, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Tajikistan, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Turkmenistan, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Ukraine, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Uzbekistan, found in there.
Sources
1. Least Weasel (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead sentence, scientific name in parentheses
The least weasel (Mustela nivalis), little weasel, common weasel, or simply weasel is the smallest member of the genus Mustela, family Mustelidae and order Carnivora.
Description section, physical appearance sentences
The least weasel has a thin, greatly elongated and extremely flexible body with a small, yet elongated, blunt-muzzled head which is no thicker than the neck.
Lead section, IUCN classification sentence
It is classified as least concern by the IUCN, due to its wide distribution and large population throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
View the Source 2. Least weasel (Wikidata)
WikidataStatements section, habitat (P2974): TerrestrialQuote, Statements section, habitat (P2974): Terrestrial
Wikidata habitat statement (P2974) resolves to a terrestrial habitat type.
3. Wikipedia: Least Weasel
Wikipediasystem (MediaWiki batch-API article extract states it plainly, relationship to people)Quote, system (MediaWiki batch-API article extract states it plainly, relationship to people)
It is native to Eurasia, North America and North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand, Malta, Crete, the Azores, and São Tomé.
Wikidata: Least Weasel
Catalogue of Life
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of LifeChild Taxon Of: MustelidaeView the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.