U.S. Department of Agriculture: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

 

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

WEASELS

F. Robert Henderson, Extension Specialist, Animal Damage Control, Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506

Document Type Article

Abstract

Weasels (Mustela nivalis and M. erminea) belong to the Mustelidae family, which also includes mink, martens, fishers, wolverines, badgers, river otters, black-footed ferrets, and four species of skunks. Three species of weasels live in North America. Some authors report finding weasels only in places with abundant water, although small rodents, suitable as food, were more abundant in surrounding habitat. The weasel family belongs to the order Carnivora. Weasels are active in both winter and summer; they do not hibernate. Occasionally weasels raid poultry houses at night and kill or injure domestic fowl.