Long-Tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata)

Long-tailed weasels are extremely efficient predators and are known to hunt animals as large or larger than themselves. At Jewel Cave National Monument they are known to live around the Historic Cabin.

NPS photo

 

Long-tailed weasels blend in extremely well to the terrain at Jewel Cave National Monument, both in summer and winter when their coloration changes to white.

NPS Photo

Long-Tailed Weasel
Mustela frenata

• The long-tailed weasel is the largest of the three American weasels.
• Named for its long, black tipped tail that makes up more than 1/3 of its body length.
• These weasels must consume 20%-40% of their body weight daily.
• Long-tailed weasels exist in all climates except desert because they need ready access to water.

Size and Description

• Long-tailed weasels exist in all climates except desert because they need ready access to water.
• Typical weasel shape: a very long body, short legs, pointed face, long tail.
• 13–18 inches long, 4.8–11 ounces.
• Their fur is light brown above and buff to rusty orange below in summer; all white in winter, except for tail, which features a black tip all year.

Behavior

• Breed in early July and August; one litter of 6–9 young per year.
• Solitary animals except during breeding and rearing of young.

Diet

• Eat voles, pocket gophers, mice, ground and tree squirrels, rabbits; to a lesser degree birds, eggs, snakes, frogs, and insects.

Interactions with other animals

• Predators to weasels include foxes, coyotes, feral dogs, bobcats, feral cats, eagles, owls, hawks, and snakes.