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weasels: Long-Tailed (Mustela frenata), and Short-Tailed (Mustela erminea)

Weasel are long-bodied animals with short legs. During most of the year they are brown with a white throat and belly. In the winter they become all white with only a black-tipped tail. The larger, long tailed weasel reaches a length of about 18" with a tail about 6" long and a weight of about 13 ounces for males. Male short-tailed weasel or ermine reach lengths of about 13' with a tail about 3" long and weights of about 6 ounces. Females Of both species are smaller than males. Weasel pelts feature a short dense underfur and abundant short glossy guard hairs. Color ranges from white to cream in winter specimens.

Reproduction

Weasel mate during the summer, but the young do not begin to develop until the late winter or early spring. The single yearly litters of both species are born in April or May. Liners of 4-8 young are normal for both species. Long-tailed weasel females breed during their first summer, but males do not mature until the next season.

Ermine dens are often lined with the fur of mice they have eaten. Both weasel den in rock piles, old buildings, burrows, and hollow logs or stumps.

Habitat

Weasel seem to need standing water, but they are found in almost all habitats. Brushy fields, hedge rows or stone walls are excellent places to look for signs. They are tireless in hunting mainly small mammals and a few birds. Weasels are very efficient killers, using their canine teeth to pierce the skulls of their prey. Prey up to the size of rabbits is most commonly taken, but larger animals are sometimes attacked either as potential prey or in defense of young.

Where abundant prey is found, weasel will sometimes kill in large numbers. Excess prey items are sometimes hidden (cached) for later use. Weasel depredations of entire chicken flocks are a result of that instinctive killing and caching behavior. Weasels eat the entire prey. They do not merely suck the blood of their prey as many people believe.

Weasels are not wary of humans. Larger predators take weasel on occasion, but these little predators, equipped with needle teeth, a shrill scream, and foul smelling musk, are formidable defenders.

Trapping Tactics

Weasel are not very trap shy. Cubby sets including weasel boxes, and using bloody baits and dirt-hole sets along stone walls or logs make good weasel sets. Size O and 1 trap with very light pan action should be used. Small body-gripping traps, set properly, can be used effectively for weasel. (Household rat trap traps can be used.) Large foot-hold traps can be used as body-gripping traps, particularly if one jaw is propped up. Small box traps are also effective.

Baits and Lures

Weasels are interested in fresh bloody baits. Baits need not be large; a chicken head or rabbit head is enough. Weasel musk is an excellent weasel lure that is very useful for other animals as well. Weasel scats are also good lures. Fish oil or another foul smelling oil will attract them. A box baited with grain will attract mice that will in turn attract weasel.