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. 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 Comparison
NatureServe Rank CITES Appendix Scientific Name Conservation Status Connections
Child Taxon Of
In Biome
In Ecosystem
Source Wikidata: Least Weasel
Additional Source Chernobyl exclusion zone (Wikipedia)Article text
Source Wikidata: Tiger
Additional Source Wikipedia: Lake BaikalArticle text
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
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.
In Biome: Desert, Subspecies
They inhabit Transcaucasia, from western Kazakhstan to Semirechye and in the flat deserts of Middle Asia.
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.
4. NatureServe Explorer: Mustela nivalis
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "G5"
5. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Mustela nivalis (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyConservation Status: CITESQuote, Conservation Status: CITES
CITES No special status
Wikidata: Least Weasel
Catalogue of Life
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of LifeChild Taxon Of: MustelidaeView the Source Wikipedia: Lake Baikal
WikipediaIn Ecosystem: Lake Baikal, Article textQuote, In Ecosystem: Lake Baikal, Article text
around the lake, such as the brown bear (Ursus arctos), Eurasian wolf (Canis lupus lupus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), sable (Martes zibellina), stoat (Mustela erminea), least weasel (Mustela nivalis), Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), snow leopard (Panthera uncia), Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), Amur leopard (Panthera pardus
Chernobyl exclusion zone (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIn Ecosystem: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Article textQuote, In Ecosystem: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Article text
The populations of traditional Polesian animals (such as the gray wolf, badger, wild boar, roe deer, white-tailed eagle, black stork, western marsh harrier, short-eared owl, red deer, moose, great egret, whooper swan, least weasel, common kestrel, and beaver) have multiplied enormously and begun expanding outside the zone.
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