Weasels, Mink, and Polecats Polecat (Mustela putorius) © Corel
The least weasel has been described as “the Nemesis of Nature's little people.” This identification with the ancient Greek goddess of retribution seems appropriate, since the whole group of lithe, sleek-bodied carnivores, of which it is the smallest member, are formidable hunters. They often track animals to their burrows and take on prey substantially bigger than themselves.
The mustelids may be small and much persecuted by man, but they are awe-inspiring predators with the potential to alter the entire ecology of a region. All are fiercely carnivorous and extremely strong for their size – a weasel is easily capable of running at speed carrying a load of meat more than half its own weight, which no lion could do.
Mousetraps with Teeth
Form and Function
While most mustelids weigh less than 2kg (4.4lb), the wolverine is ten times that weight. Many species exhibit pronounced differences in size between males and females. Knowledge of the group is very uneven. The three northern hemisphere weasel species (the least weasel, the ermine or stoat, and the long-tailed weasel) are known in some detail, but at the other end of the scale there is no reliable information at all about some of the tropical species. Yet, as a group, they are among the most common and widespread carnivores in the world.
The northern weasels have long, slim bodies and short legs, a flat-topped, sharp-faced, almost triangular head, and short, rounded ears. All mustelid species have the habit of sitting up on their haunches for a better view than they can get from on all fours.
Mink have small ears and long, bushy tails. The coat provides important insulation against low water temperatures because, like otters, the animals have little subcutaneous fat. The fur has two components: long guard hairs each surrounded by 9–24 underfur hairs that are one-third or half the length.
There are two molts each year: the thick, dark winter coat is shed in April, to be replaced by a much flatter and browner summer coat. The summer molt occurs in August or September, and the winter coat is in its prime condition by late November. Northern subspecies have darker fur than southern forms.
The European mink may be very similar in appearance to the American mink, but it is not closely related. DNA analysis has shown that the two species are as far apart from each other as it is possible to be while both remaining within the single subfamily Mustelinae, and they do not interbreed. European mink do, however, interbreed with the European polecat.
Prolific Killers
Diet
All mustelids are terrestrial hunters. They will take whatever small rodents, rabbits, birds, insects, lizards, and frogs are locally available. Most eat nothing but meat, and their teeth are highly adapted to killing and cutting up prey. They do not feed indiscriminately; members of each species choose different items from the menu on offer. What is more, they are strategic killers. The marbled polecat uses different techniques to dispatch different types of prey: a bite to the head or neck for large prey, but to the thorax for small. Fleeing prey are bitten dorsally, while those turning to defend themselves get bitten in the throat. Only one polecat, the rare black-footed ferret of the western prairies of the USA, is a true specialist, depending entirely on prairie dogs.
More. http://www.oxfordreference.com/pub/views/fact-of-the-day.html?date=2011-11-24
The European mink may be very similar in appearance to the American mink, but it is not closely related. DNA analysis has shown that the two species are as far apart from each other as it is possible to be while both remaining within the single subfamily Mustelinae, and they do not interbreed. European mink do, however, interbreed with the European polecat.
Prolific Killers
Diet
All mustelids are terrestrial hunters. They will take whatever small rodents, rabbits, birds, insects, lizards, and frogs are locally available. Most eat nothing but meat, and their teeth are highly adapted to killing and cutting up prey. They do not feed indiscriminately; members of each species choose different items from the menu on offer. What is more, they are strategic killers. The marbled polecat uses different techniques to dispatch different types of prey: a bite to the head or neck for large prey, but to the thorax for small. Fleeing prey are bitten dorsally, while those turning to defend themselves get bitten in the throat. Only one polecat, the rare black-footed ferret of the western prairies of the USA, is a true specialist, depending entirely on prairie dogs.
More. http://www.oxfordreference.com/pub/views/fact-of-the-day.html?date=2011-11-24
