Nature Atlas

How Nature Works
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme
Specy

Siberian weasel

Mammals

The Siberian weasel, or kolonok, Mustela sibirica, is a medium-sized weasel native to Asia, where it is widely distributed and inhabits various forest habitats and open areas, which is why the IUCN lists it as Least Concern. It has a long stretched body with relatively short legs, a small narrow head and a tail half the length of the body. Its winter fur is very dense, soft and fluffy, bright reddish-ocherous or straw-red, with a dark coffee-brown mask on the face and a tail that is more brightly coloured and fluffier than in other members of the genus. Adult males are 28 to 39 centimetres long and weigh 650 to 820 grams, while females are 25 to 30.5 centimetres long and weigh 360 to 430 grams. It nests in fallen logs, empty stumps, brushwood piles and tree roots, and also enlarges the dens of other species. It prefers small to moderate rodents, with water voles the most frequent prey in the west and voles and mice in the east, and it is hunted by shooting with dogs or with box traps.

Facts
Classification
Diet
Carnivore 1
System (Realm)
Terrestrial 1
Threats
Biological Resource Use 1
Relationship to People
Hunted or Fished 1
Living or Extinct
Yes 1
Conservation Status
Least Concern 1
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Mustela, Taxa
Source Siberian weasel (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Siberian weasel (Wikipedia)Lead, living or extinct
Quote, Lead, living or extinct
The Siberian weasel or kolonok (Mustela sibirica) is a medium-sized weasel native to Asia, where it is widely distributed and inhabits various forest habitats and open areas.
Sources
1. Siberian weasel (Wikipedia)
  • Lead
    It is therefore listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List.
  • Lead, living or extinct
    The Siberian weasel or kolonok (Mustela sibirica) is a medium-sized weasel native to Asia, where it is widely distributed and inhabits various forest habitats and open areas.
  • Section: Diet
    They rarely eat reptiles, invertebrates and plants, preferring instead to prey on rodents of small to moderate size.
  • Section: Cultural significance
    They are hunted by shooting with dogs or through the use of box traps.
  • Hunting
    They are hunted by shooting with dogs or through the use of box traps.
  • Child Taxon Of: Mustela, Section: Description
    Their tails are more brightly coloured than the back, and are fluffier than those of other members of the genus.
  • In Group: Mustelids, Procyonids And Other Carnivorans, Section: Description
    Their tails are more brightly coloured than the back, and are fluffier than those of other members of the genus.
View the Source
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.