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Raccoons, Weasels, Otters, Skunks

Boston Public Library

REFERENCE Boston,

MA

02116

i

Digitized by the Internet Archive in

2015

https://archive.org/details/mammalsworldofan01patm

WORLD

OF

ANIMALS

Raccoons, Weasels, Otters, Skunks...

PAT MORRIS, AMY-JANE BEER

GROLIER

Published 2003 by Grolier, Danbury, CT 06816

A

1

division of Scholastic Library Publishing

This edition published exclusively for the school

and

library

market

Planned and produced by

Andromeda Oxford members of

Various

Limited

11-13 The Vineyard, Abingdon, Oxon 0X14 3PX

the

weasel family: European

badger

(1);

pine marten

(2);

www.andromeda.co.uk

European polecat (3);

wolverine

(4).

©

Copyright

Andromeda Oxford

No part may be reproduced, stored

All rights reserved.

Limited

2003

of this publication in

a retrieval system, t

or transmitted in any form or by any electronic, mechanical,

means

photocopying, recording,

or otherwise, without the permission of the

Congress Catalogmg-in-Publication Data

Library of

copyright holder.

Morris, Pat. / [Pat

Morris,

Amy-Jane

Beer, Erica Bower],

Contents

v

1

.

Art Editor and Designer:

Small carnivores

-

v.

2.

-- v. 3.

Large carnivores

mammals

Sea

-- v.

4.

-- v. 6. Ruminant (horned) herbivores -- v. 7. Rodents -- v. 9. Insectivores and bats -- v. 10. Marsupials. and lagomorphs v 8 Rodents 2 ISBN 0-7172-5742-8 (set alk. paper) - ISBN 0-7172-5743-6 (v.1 alk. paper) - ISBN 0-7172-5744-4 (v.2 alk. paper) - ISBN 0-7172-5745-2 (v.3 alk. paper) - ISBN 0-7172-5746-0 (v.4 alk. paper) - ISBN 0-7172-5747-9 (v.5 alk. paper) -- ISBN 0-7172-5748-7 (v.6 alk. paper) -- ISBN 0-7172-5749-5 (v.7 alk. paper) -- ISBN 0-7172-5750-9 (v.8 alk. paper) - ISBN 0-7172-5751-7 (v.9 alk. paper) - ISBN

Primates

-- v,

Large herbivores

5

Angela Davies, Penny Mathias

Editors:

cm. - (World of animals)

p.

Graham Bateman

Project Director:

Mammals

Steve

Marian

Editorial Assistants:

Dreier, Rita

-

1

Demetriou

:

.

McCurdy

Tim Williams

Cartographic Editor:

Picture

Manager:

Claire Turner

:

Picture Researcher:

Vickie Walters

:

0-7172-5752-5 1

:

alk

Mammals-Juvemle

Clive Sparling

Researchers:

Dr. Erica

Bower, Rachael Brooks,

Rachael Murton, Eleanor

paper)

literature

[1.

Mammals

]

I.

Beer,

Amy-Jane.

II.

Bower,

Thomas

Erica.

Origination: Unifoto International, South Africa

World of animals (Danbury, Conn.)

IV

Title

Ill

(v .10

Production:


r to

-¥c. 'ements or -o'? saeca

:. a'

ne vse

ma» oe ea*-e2

mamma

5

rather

*.

and c r as nner : most

eam

ge-es anc

'

";

r

e a: .e *

s

me.

s:a'r:*.pec arp to a dtoere-T

0*

a>

k.,

Va—ma r

.o-"2 a e r

.a

fam

success^

Diversity

nxxe

0*

Many

ole

a-2 not necessan

soec.es also

.

2^3

..

than they

coope-ate to

s

Cunous

.

—e

m ght

1

m

»e

?s

^*oe re

s*

cod

ng

fewer

gh

to ac- e.e a h

groups

soc;a

babies

'a se

,

a result, the

in

more

young

edgehogs.

r

g-ve-n

jp ore or

exa-p e wha es

tn

the case o* whales

m

very .\a'm

o°a rn

or.as

•V'e

'

and the

n that they p'odjce eggs

to babes, but they' st

At r mi.

‘ood

s

1

nourtsh

seasonally scarce,

and other htoernators abandon

bats,

enoug' ene'gy to so K be^nat ng s

burrows Ech

too

t

a'*

a h»gn body temperature, and

—

inciuc

ng four

feet,

—-as bee- rnodifeo to a*tow the

.e toes

of e gr

ar- d

*'

ers

,

eff

52 r:.'-'

n

of carr ioies

In

s- and; that

Mevec^eess

arid cecole

nes

sceces

:.ti©-

resemble threatened species* since criminate could

d fe

dihreue questions accut the relative ~cortance cf

•a,ses

become so if trade is not carefully controlled. Some common: animals are listed here if they closed

Acce"d ces

a

_e ~aoa

but they will probably need to prove that they come is

re catchy es

from safe populations

SMALL CARNIVORES M

-

:i

:

i

T

.z a

I

zsze mezazz'S z"

Bs.z"

.•

rn Ca"

ma

s

mose n^cec

as

Hc/.e\e r >ze

jr

;

j a

e

nan me

e'

rc >,zes 50"~e z~ z^e most

_

'

Z:-

>

a:,

xj: a

'

Volume

-oom

an

I

e-emninc ana

as

me

-'

5z~a

^ajont. of

- a

"p e

5

average -Ouse za:

.

'

roc

s-naces 3a

'

.

ve :oca.

net: -

.

zn

.ets

s z

ae

a

m

natura

lior .

nan

—

as.

acsent

nxr

--Z'

t'e.

zee''

z* t'e

'a.e cr

' a-z'-e

OuZ

.

.

'z ~'e

~ z ar -c

Z'e

.

fas'!

a

s

nrocucec there

a


e~'oe's of

r

~rea:-ea: ~c a~

ma:

nre acre' atca :

c ocos

predators

m n. me c*

V-'ate.e'

me

ae:

tor a

mem

apart

.ores are

ar '-a

5

cme

cncc comcosec ma

most re ac e

ca"

*ea:-res

.

diagnostic

-

ma** .

c*

-a

Being Small _

~e ~cc'

a~z Z'e '

erem

mee

to ~e-c stac ores

a

n\ Ca^- '.ores a sz

h«*e a

mar

teem zamass^s

srea'

.c

,!//f

i ri :

•>'

u

,

Jiii /

If'

kM

TP

y oJm

i

if*

wjBSl

IMifmtwm

:

nP Hi ThSt

f

i.

f'.B

7

©A

*.

*

pair of ringtails. The species

was

w it# Ik?-/

originally reared as a

prospectors' camps in the early American West, hence

name

r

its

mouser

in

alternative

of "miner's cat."

Lifestyle Procyonids can generally no

live

for

more than seven

until their

so

their first spring.

and provide

all

in

They give

birth in

occupy

a diversity of habitats ranging

through most of

forests,

are

while coatis prefer more

found

in

American

is

cliffs

wooded

and dry

regions. Olingos

tropical rain forests, while the

adaptable raccoons thrive

panda

rocky

in

in all

of these habitats.

The red

confined to Asia, favoring remote, high-altitude

forests. All

procyonids are nocturnal, except the coatis,

which are mainly active during the

day.

g)

litters

and are poorly of three or four, but

pandas produce only one or two young

at a time,

and kinkajous usually only one.

North, Central, and South America. The ringtails and

cacomistles are found mainly

dens or nests

the parental care. At birth the young

developed. Most species have red

but

the wild. While males

weigh only about 5 ounces (142

The procyomds (excluding the red panda)

in captivity,

second year to breed, females usually do

wait in

10 to 15 years

Recent studies of the raccoon family reveal that their social structure

as the coati

move around

the

seem

like

ringtail,

the Procyomdae

in

to be

is

in

the wild

complex. Species such

large social groups. Others,

more

solitary.

While some of

—such as the common raccoon — are

thriving, others are classified

by the IUCN as Endangered

The red panda, olingo, and cacomistle are among those in

decline as a result of destruction of forest habitats.

21

CARNIVORES

Sr.'A__

Common Common name

Raccoon

Cor"non raccoon Scientific

Procyon

lotor

Raccoons are one of the most familiar North American animals. Their adaptability has allowed

Family procyon cae

Order Cam vora Lengtt-

reacted.'

tenet"

8-12

1

8-27

in

Procyon lotor

name

43-68 cm);

them

tail

to

succeed

a wide range of habitats while

in

,

ir*

20-30

err

;

he ght at

shoulder about 10-12 n 25-30

25%

about *

1— 3 *

Key features

but sometimes up to 33

lb

bandit* face mask, accentuated by

raccoon's \~eujge\ce, atertness, and

gray cars above and below, black eyes; short,

curiosity

rcureed

settlers

and

bushy

ears;

black

r

with alternate

ta

ngs fusua /

body

5);

brown

hairs long

were

.

females

may

so'itary,

although related

ve close to one another

r

speed of learning

somewhere between and the domestic

Breeding

Four to 6 young born around February to

Ap after gestation period of 63 days. Weaned at 7 weeks, fema’es usua iy sexually r

;

mature by the

Voice

May

/e over

16m

the wild

r f ^st 1

m

7 years

captivity,

up to

Chitters, purrs, hisses, barks, growls, snarls,

Fruit,

and seeds;

crayfish, clams, sna.

Almost anywhere

m

Distribution Southern Canada,

s,

and earthworms; crops

North America, including

can become quite a handful.

Masked Bandits Raccoons are unmistakable animals, with their

stout

little

tail.

across the

They have

bodies, typically weighing

and 18 pounds

weights are

and 8

(5

known

to

kg),

between

although

change with season and

U

S

,

and Central

common

of raccoon family; continues to

range and increase

in

numbers

than

southern ones. The heaviest raccoon recorded

reached 62.4 pounds (28.3

its

mask

distribution; northern animals are larger

Population abundant Most

expand

Young accoons make

ntrigumg pets, a though as they mature, they

1 1

America

member

cat.

monkey

r

also fish,

urban areas

Status

that of the rhesus

eyes and their bushy, banded

such as corn and stored grain

Habitat

thought to be

is

characteristic black “bandit"

bernes. nuts,

in captivity,

spring, males by 2 years.

and squeaks Diet

Native Arre r car

in

Raccoons are often kept

*o!kiore.

and the Nocturnal mainly

a source of fascination to early

a^d are celebrated

and gray Habits

kg).

Enormous numbers of raccoons have been trapped or shot for their to

make

kept

jackets

in captivity

and

farming, the to France,

of Russia

in

Raccoons are also

gams

to be

made from

Germam ana

the 1930s and 1940s wild,

Switzerland, Austria,

As a fur

raccoon was introduced

Netherlands,

escaped into the

Some have

which are used

to supply the fur trade.

common

me

skins,

hats.

result of the financial

parts

Many

and raccoons spread to

and the Czech Republic.

also turned

up

in

Poland, Hungary,

Denmark, and Slovakia The European raccoons are

now sometimes

considered a nuisance.

The raccoon's coat

is

made up

of hair The short, fine underfur

SEE ALSO

extremely

popular with people.

-i Biaoc

make them

their appealing looks

Vale

arger than female

5-8 rg

fb

err

R ngtailed 1:28, Panda.

is

of

two types

uniformly

Red 1:30, Old World Monkey Family. The 4:40

XT

:

RACCOONS COMMON RACCOON

gray or brownish and provides the animals with

warmth and some

protection from the wet.

Growing from among stiffer

guard

hairs,

short coat are longer,

its

which are tipped with black

The density of the guard

or white.

hairs alters

the overall appearance of the coat, often giving it

shaggy

a fuzzy or

look.

Raccoons molt

in

the

early spring, with hair loss beginning at the

head and proceeding along the back. fur

New

grows throughout the summer to

provide extra

warmth

for the winter.

Many raccoons have amounts

of yellow

variable their coats,

in

and some albinos have been reported. Apart from size the

sexes are similar

in

appearance,

and juveniles resemble

adults.

Raccoons are excellent climbers, aided by sharp claws

and the

ability to rotate

the

hind foot through 180 degrees (thereby turning

Such

ability

it

backward).

makes them one

of

© The raccoon's "bandit" eye mask, brown-and-black ringed

tail,

round ears are trademark

and

small,

characteristics of

this highly distinctive species.

Raccoon Currency

T

he raccoon's fur has always been the main reason for hunting

and trapping the animal. During the 17th century bans were

imposed to prevent too many raccoon

skins being exported

from the

United States. At one time the skins were used as currency; and

when

the frontiersmen of Tennessee set up the state of

Franklin, local officials received

each

year.

payments of "coonskins"

Although they are hard wearing, raccoon skins

are not especially valuable nowadays,

and trade

no longer

However, a movie

a threat to population size.

about Davy Crockett, king of the wild a

sudden fashion

frontier,

for coonskin caps like the

in

created

one worn

$

in

the movie, costing the

lives

of

many

them

raccoons!

is

iccoons omen use dens

i

*

-:

‘

.-

r

nr-r and speno The day

'

wvhem mar

almost a

•.

exceo*

©ve

dens mav

r»f

The

Trees.

& about 9 to

wmc^

in

m Tan

Each den

the

its

Alaonpuam worn amkun, wn.ch

o:

only

washmp

ven

rts

oea:

occuped

’

refers to the

mor

name

scientific

-leamnp To wash

roughly translates as "ne

who

a reterence to the frequent grooming that

’

accoons. characteristically mouipe

tki

is

The German name waschbar.

in

raccoons nadir of washing

its

tood

taken from the Latin wore /ai*re

’

~he perception that raccoons wash themselves wrm then hands actually comes Timm observations

when

win®.;

roreoaws are a orominent teature and are name oe common name raccoon is derived from

skiltrui

scratcnes wrrh ms. hands

mom

is

accoon-

reflected

to

they wit

pm-prs protection

rencton anr the .veathe

.

tits:

brushy nests oic buildings

nr mies anc haystacks

.a s

ash nc Sears

«\

above the ground ~nev also use

bumnws

r

itwr

r* v

hollow

in

e— ance hr.* that

.-

? ~

fee*

-

hang:

.a"'

air desceno nee funks near

':t

.

the

‘

'

Tacco°hs carchmp and Teedinp on aauaTic prey. ~ne\ danoie and splash, in the ware in an

tot

1

ongp w/np

•

over

u.c

a

twrtt\

mothe has sne

will

instinctive

afco

movmc

her

1

to catch,

aooearance of washing instinctive

a nr drfftcutr business

manne

off

(ever

tamny

fish, pivinq

their

food

It

is

every

the same

Pehavior disniaved by captive raccoons

when

there

the notion of the

no

is

"

water', that

washing bears

has encouraged

”

Water ^o\nnc h»e raccoor % torenaw.' nave e wel--aevetonpr sense o* rover

nrnughout ther range

acmons

anr air caaabK of miiaae mamoviaTior.

are found arm os:

B

a.-

skilttu as t

monkret

a'

everywhere that ware; s avaiiab* They are mosr

mangroves hood niam v-

'-

.."

.

>e*'

^

pi

o

Garmons

»

are less

nev also Tenr tr avoir

true

r

oeoends on

ai

cr The northern

southern a-vn

.

ana da thev

win place-

i

^ tartMT

r

an on

fleser;

to

live

m

areas Thev

me

parts,

iea lonp

fr

of then Tanpe they

nrrt

to huddle tooethe’

Raccoons

m

acmmy

active

21

SCI

rate

The» body temperature stays

ALSO

am

warm whe-

r

tvnically active

fust

is

a neai

morn sunset to in

teedmg

before midnight Raccoons

vOasta marshes may be se*r.

all

they snuggle

a single den

aimouoh there

living

bv

Teedmg durmo

the day whpr ther tood source oi crustaceans is

exposed

opfinnunsts. able to

whatever tood

nedme

long and

ur close Up to 25 raccoons have Peer known

a®

hear

m

do

am sieer Their

tall,

e^^ energy keening

the northern imitec States and

wimp

summer and

buildings

ano moMusks

Thei

resents they have Puih up

1

sunrise

^

surviva

denning togethe ovei wmTe: since they use

m att«ides above t t>HD

fcacroons do not hibernate and

no

oi

Ther body weight Raccoons are ohten found

ivem and springs Raccoons

anpK round

nenod ther

Irrtle

harsh winters raccoons may lase up to naif of

united Stares and like

inactive

the- fa:

ove- the previous

pe ooen

Vherr they have spread out onto

metabolic rate remans

moemsrars. Since they consume

tood during ther

common

ia r

thei

high As a result They use more energy than

ub«ai: woodlands especially where pine

•

-

common m

hanpuy r suburban areas within

~ P-^'de

3n°C. are

95**F

anr abandoned tarmiands and can

-ec

o.iitt

•.

and mesh anr

marshes ~ney are also

are' .

Tnrests

is

at lovy tide

make a meal from

available

does

take advantage of so

above

The secret ot ther success

Am*

I.

an

.

.

*v ?:3f

Raccoons

tt

ts

then

many kinds

at

ability

to

fond that

is

tr Tact

handime

its

roe raccoor

tooc

RACCOONS COMMON RACCOON

In

most areas plants provide the main food

eaten by raccoons, espec

ally,

will also

born a few weeks

eat

earthworms and nsects and sometimes stored gram. Corn

is

a particular favorite

taken jst before

it is

noe

and

jsua

is

a.^c ready *or

'za r ds.

fy

".ran

Where trey

near turt e nesting beaches, they ;

a^d

steal

the buried eggs. They wi

other vertebrates such as gopne shrews, rabb

forage beside lakes, or

and

ts,

m

s,

aiso eat squi

rr els,

fish,

such

and other aquatic

spring, although

animals. They also take

not breed unt

strong swimmers.

At

birth

raccoons weigh about 2 to 3

ounces ^60 to 75 inches

na

r,

HO

cm,

g-

and measure about 4

in length.

They are covered n

although the mask and

tai

rings are

represented or y by dark-pigmented skin. Afte r

Their iegs

/ely

become

their eyes,

and making ch strong

tter

enough

when

ng noises.

for walking first

molt

they shed the

mfant coat, and the adult fur begins to grow.

Raccoons become sexua

and are

a factor that limits

the spread of raccoons farther north.

occurs at seven weeks,

Breeding

being

and May. The

by the fourth to sixth week. Their

horses.

crayfish, clams, snails,

readily to water

may be

squirming act

marshy areas

where they feed on

to survive the winter

from the corpse. Raccoons occasion a y

mamma s

litters

born, the less chance

about three weeks they open

and even

between

the young have to fatten up for winter. Inability

/e

dig jo

itter is

„sus y a r eady dead, so the r accoons just feed

as deer, cows,

rivers,

r

:

nk; but suc^ an mals are

scavenge the rema ns of arger

C Raccoons often

w

usually

later in April

ater n the year a

consumption. Raccoons also eat small birds and

somet mes snakes and

is

February and March, with most

fleshy fruit,

and seeds. They

berries, nuts,

the breeding season

some

their

y

matu re

particularly

n trie

r

*irst

males do

secona season. Mat ng can

be from Decemoe- through August, occur' ng ater in the season farther south.

Tne pea< of

Weaning takes and the young

place from seven weeks,

start to leave

forage for themse ves. They

the nest and

may

still

be suckled

by their mother for up to four months. By ,jvenies

may we.gh up

fall

to 15 pounds 7 kg

,

City Slickers matings

^phe I

variety of

it

become

Males may

to thrive in a

In fact,

occupy

will

live

alone or

small groups

in

and

a distinct territory ranging in size

from 125 to 12,500 acres (50 to 5,000

has

it

|

I

|

human-dominated

environments.

range, with the smaller males

securing a few matings each.

raccoon's adaptability has

enabled

in his

roam over 1,500

general, raccoons will

very familiar to city

ha). In

a year. Males

may

acres

dwellers. However, these

(600 ha)

masked bandits are notorious

but they disperse during the breeding season,

for raiding

garbage

known

only are they

when

Not

bins.

in

fighting

I

travel together;

and competition between them

increase. Social relations are probably

to carry

]

away whole

established

bins, but the

mmble-fmgered

raiders

The secret of the

to secure the bins, rather than

can

make

common

raccoon's success

that

is

different calls

it

scents. At least 13

have been identified

Sounds are used between

meal of almost any available food,

a

in

raccoons.

individuals in close

proximity to each other. Mothers keep

including the contents of garbage baskets.

through them.

and

postures, vocalizations,

have

also learned to untie ropes used

bite

and signaled through various

in

touch

with their young by purring sounds, while

and snorts express

hissing, short barks,

common

Despite the success of the

but

full

size

is

not reached

year. Families generally share a

and the young raccoons

the second

until

den over

leave their

will

by the spring. Few wild raccoons five years,

but

some

survive

after

20

was

mother

more than

live

up to 16

oldest recorded captive raccoon

raccoon, several related species

winter,

The

years. still

living

Cozumel

Social Organization

by the

listed

as Endangered. The Barbados raccoon

(Procyon gloverellani) extinct

sometime

is little

common Two young raccoons

raccoon {Procyon pygmaeus)

Island

— are

there

years.

—such as the

from southeastern Mexico

IUCN

fear.

to

said to

is

have become However,

after the 1960s.

compromise the

survival of the

raccoon. Predators such as wolves,

bobcats, pumas, great horned owls, and I

by

their nest in a

tree.

hollow

to look for their

food, their

move them ground

to a

start

own

mother

will

den

at

level to prevent

them from

falling.

social organization of

raccoons

However, several females related still

—

will live in

— usually

males

will also

alligators

solitary.

raccoons actually

inhabit the

One

same

or

The main cause

mate

relatively

for

few are

concern

is

the

can be transmitted to humans, such as

season females mate with between one and

leptospirosis, tularemia,

for

mating

is

competition between males

privileges,

with heavier males

gaining greater access to the females. successful male

is

likely to

(and worst of is

One

be

responsible for over half the

killed.

common

raccoon's susceptibility to certain diseases that

with the resident females. During the breeding

four males. There

few

Common

prey to them.

fall

"coon hunting"), but

more

area and

a small threat, but

raccoons are also hunted for sport (known as

closely

areas that overlap, but they

tend to avoid each other.

may pose

not well

is

known, although adults are generally

As they gain

independence and

The

all)

rabies.

The

the major carrier of rabies

United States and all

and most commonly

in

common in

raccoon

the southeastern

1997 accounted

for half of

reported cases of rabies from wild animals

in

the whole country. Raccoons also often host a

type of parasitic the raccoon

roundworm

itself,

that

it is

species,

common

raccoon

is

in

expanding

in

harmless to in

small children.

so familiar in North America

often the topic of TV cartoons. it is

is

may cause death

but

domestic animals and even

The

that

A

successful

both range and numbers.

SMALL CARNIVORES

Common name

Ringtailed Coati

Ringta>ied coati (coatimundi)

name Nasua

Scientific

Nasua nasua

nasua

Family Procyonidae

and

The ring tailed coati

is

Latin name, nasua,

means "nosy one" and

intelligent

sociable. Its

Order Carnivora

aptly

Size Length head/body:

16-26 tail

in

describes the inquisitive, long-snouted raccoon.

(41-67 cm);

length: 12.5-27

(32-69 cm); height shoulder: up to 12

in

at

At

resemble a slender version of their black-

(30 cm). Male generally

Weight

7-13

lb

flexible snout; long,

banded

common

raccoon. Like

and bold

facial

tail

markings. Their forelegs are

shorter than their hind legs, so coatis always

reddish-brown to black upper

stocky,

cousin, the

raccoons, they have a distinctive banded

(3—6 kg)

Key features Long, tail;

masked

female

larger than

glance coatis (often called coatimundis)

first

in

body, yellowing underneath; coat has coarse,

seem

to walk with their

bottom held high

the

in

long hairs; distinctive white muzzle, chin, air,

and throat

accentuating their tapering

which

tail,

is

longer than their head and body. They have a Habits

Active throughout the day; females form

gangs with

Breeding

males are often

juveniles;

solitary

sensitive Births occur mainly April to June,

gestation period of about 74 days. at

4 months; sexually mature over 17 years

live

in captivity,

after

Weaned May

at 2 years.

9-15

in

is

It

sniffing

and

particularly

well adapted to

out insects and poking

bits of rotten

among

stones

wood.

Coatis are found

woodland

in

They

areas.

require vegetation for cover, since they are

mainly active during the day, although adult

Grunts and chittering used to maintain contact with group, also snarls and squeaks;

Diet

flexible.

is

the

wild

if

and

which

perhaps

2-7 young born

earlier farther south;

Voice

long, flattish snout,

threatened,

will indicate

alarm by barking

Woodland

invertebrates (such as earthworms,

millipedes,

and

snails);

frogs

and

lizards

males can also be active after dark. At night they sleep curled up

in

climbers, using their

tail

rotate their ankles

the trees. They are good to balance,

and can

180 degrees, enabling them

caught with forepaws; adult males tend to prey on large rodents, very fond of

Habitat

to descend trees headfirst.

fruit

Woodlands

Fruit-Loving Carnivores Distribution Colombia south to Argentina and Uruguay

Ringtailed coatis generally travel about 1,600 to

Status

Population abundant Generally

common

and widespread

2,200 yards (1,500 to 2,000 m) each day search of their favorite food

—

fruit.

not available, they forage the forest thrusting their snouts

among

in

When

it

is

floor,

the leaf

litter in

search of invertebrates, such as millipedes,

earthworms, termites,

snails,

and

tarantulas.

Coatis are the most sociable of the raccoon family.

Females and juvenile males gather

bands of up to 20

individuals.

in

However, males

over two years old are normally

solitary,

except

during the breeding season, and are usually

excluded aggressively from bands by the adult females. originally

28

SEE ALSO

r

(

ommon

1:22,

In fact,

they are so isolated that

it

thought there were two kinds of

Mongoose, Dwarf 1:106, Mongoose, Banded 1:110

was

I

animal

—the

coati,

which

lived in

the coatimundi, which led a solitary

place once a year during

life.

The bonds between females are strong,

and

a

young, not

just their

own

group to construct

or those closely

The juveniles are well cared

related to them.

two- to four-week period.

Pregnant females separate from the

band members help take care of the

all

™

Mating takes

groups, and

for,

a tree nest,

may

do not share food, the bands forage together

infants.

so females can watch over and defend the

days and leave the nest at

young. Band members

their

groom each

other,

parasites

climb up to the nest to assist

from each other's fur and gently

The young open

mother and the

A

using their long claws as combs, picking

nursing the

five

rest of

weeks

Numbers peaked

in

coati, its

range

the 1950s

and have since declined. Coatis are now scarce

Bonding Sessions In

in

the breeding season adult males are accepted

into bands, but

behave submissively toward

few days

allowing

young.

them

after the

young

become

to

What sounds

familiar with their

gesture

is

males do not

actually a defense

mechanism.

identify with their

young, they may attempt to

kill

and eat them

when

they

If

at other times of the year

become more

carnivorous.

is

it

in

Mexico.

seems more

threatened by habitat

disruption. Coatis are generally tolerated

because they

are born,

like a friendly

Farther south, the ringtailed coati secure, although

females. Males are also permitted into the band for a

the United States and declining

rarely

Coatis can be practice

is

reduction

show

do any harm

made

to livestock.

into pets,

although the

discouraged to prevent further in

Ringtailed coatis are

climbers

and nest

and sleep

in trees.

They

adopt two techniques for

her group.

white-nosed

©

good

1

to join

Central America and extended

north to Arizona.

nibbling with their teeth.

in

their eyes after

similar species, the

lives in

give

young. Sometimes another female

birth to their

even after they leave the nest. Although coatis

will

where they

climbing, either

ascending hand-over-

hand or galloping up wide trunks with forefeet

and hind

feet clutching

the bark.

On

they

the ground

move through

forest at a

the

walk or

gallop, holding their tail

upright, except for the slightly

drooping

tip.

wild populations. Captive coatis

high levels of intelligence, often causing

trouble for zookeepers by unscrewing lamps

and hoarding screws and bulbs as playthings.

29

SMALL CARNIVORES

Red Fdnda The red panda

Ailurus fulgens

a puzzling

is

many features of

creature, sharing

Common name Scientific

Family

Red panda

name A

(lesser

raccoons, bears,

panda)

jrus fulgens

famous

more

its

cousin, the giant panda.

Procyonidae (sometimes considered a

member

of the bear family, Ursidae)

T-ere has been

Order

and

much

among

debate

zoologists

Carnivora

about whether both panda species belong Length head/body 20-24 tail

12-20

engtT

m

in

(50-60 cm);

(30-51 cm); height at

shoulder about 10-12

Weight 6-13 b 3-6

in

the bear ramily (Ursidae), the raccoon family, 'Procyonidae), or

(25-30 cm)

Ailuridae.

Key features /ague

darker on

DNA

red

One

m

m

mature

Voice

Norma

Diet

Bamboo

trees

and feeds there n spring

and summer

Weaned at 4 months; sexually 8 months. May live for 7 years in

1

1

8-14

m

the wild

forests,

conifer, often

and

Mountains

in

the trees.

the mixed forests that

slopes of the Himalaya

at altitudes of

between 6,500 and

5,750 feet (2,000 and 4,800 m) above sea It

gets very cold at night, and the pandas

have long, dense fur to help keep them warm.

Thumblike Structure

both deciduous and

on steep slopes

Myanmar

and

and small mammals

Distribution Himalayan 'egions of Nepa

and Yunnan

fruit, berries,

live in

grow on the lower

level.

shoots and leaves;

size,

but

pandas are more arboreal than raccoons,

Red pandas

1

y silent

Temperate

(genetic

appearance are those of a raccoon. However,

spending most o i their time up

days.

flowers; birds, eggs,

Laos.

at night

June) after gestation period of

at

captivity,

belly; tail

young born

to 4

—the

distinctly bearlike,

Arboreal and nocturnal, spends most of day

114-145

.

Like the giant panda, the red

Bhutan, India,

(Burma), and China (Sichuan

additional "thumb."

One

panda has an

of the small bones in

the wrist (called the radial sesamoid) has

Provinces)

become enlarged Status

is

the animal's general shape,

'peaks

Habitat

molecular structure)

banded chestnut and cream, face has cream and white "mask”

sleeping

Breeding

The red panda's

own

raccoor ke animal the size of a

/

;arge domestic cat. bright chestnut-colored fur.

Habits

whether they should be

classified in a family of their

kg)

in

Population unknown, but unlikely to exceed a few thousand, IUCN Endangered, CITES

structure against

to provide a thumblike

which the

five true digits

can

I

grip

and hold food. The pandas are

also able to

hold onto the branches of trees with ease.

Although they are quite average domestic

cat, red

climbers: Their grip

scamper down falling off. Yet

large, bigger

is

than an

pandas are excellent

so strong that they can

tree trunks headfirst without

when

they walk on the ground,

they tend to have a waddling gait caused by their front legs

being angled inward

Nevertheless, they can travel quite fast by

bounding along, but when frightened, they seek safety by climbing trees.

30

SEE ALSO

2:32

Pa-d^ Giant 2:98

will

RACCOONS

sim

PA'.:-

Ree pandas also

lar see.

have a general

stow

y

metabolism which helps conserve enemv Un ve the giant

oa"ca the restreted to

core

a et s not

'

:

bamboo.

eaves flowers

t.

T**ey

ete

so eat the

a.

.v

.

and bark of

roots

other p ants, and "a.e pee" kno.vn to

co"s „'"e ~ung

Occasional

;

a-c eat ,c ous sma a r

and w

also take b ds

the.

.

»v

I

catch

indue no

'^a s :

eggs or

'sects,

nestlings.

ma

Meverthe.ess although the, belong *o a

cam vorous group not norma

of mammal's,

hunt an

,

y

pandas do

red'

~"ev behave as

flooc

rial

n

inefficient herbivores iinstead.

Red pandas mate ea

me and

n the

.

the young are bom' about four and a half

months

later

A female gues

ole or nock crev ce to a

birth

sma fam

four cubs. She looks ah:er continuously for about a

n a tree

1

them

week

y

up to

of

moire or less After that she

spends increasing y ong periods away from the nest to feed herself Put returns regularly to suckle and

dean her

babies. After three

months

the young cubs ane ready to leave the den They

go out each

night, staying

mother, earning the I,

r

dose to

their

way around and how

to

find food. They usually disperse before the

breeding season arrives again,

the mother wi

I

if

do

they

drive he' youngsters

not,

away

Warning Displays Pandas have evolved from carnivorous (meat-eating) ancestors. However,

they are mainly vegetarian and eat relatively little

@ Deforestation croc

ss

s~ throughout

the

r.e' efforts are nov,

ce ~g -see fo conserve

~s

,

~ forests,

system'

is still

- di

cere fit the spedes.

basically that

a simple stomach' plant-eating

red penes s range

nounta

animal food. Yet the panda

in

of a carnivore, with

mammals have

Most

very long intestines

maximum

digestive

needed to cope with fibrous plant

food. Therefore

much

what the panda

of the nutritional benefit

eats

is

their inefficient digestion lot

digestive

a short intestine.

order to provide the

efficiency

in

and

s

more than

Red pandas

ive solitary

meet, they engage displays. Actions

in

ves;

and when the, oo

a variety of raccoon

undude arching

their

bacs

n

a

threatening manner, shaking their head, and

snapping their jaws shut. Sometimes they rear

up on then hind

held high

in

the

legs with their front

Red pandas face many forest

w paws

air.

difficult es

n the

r

home. They are sometimes hunted and

frequently get caught in traps intended for

musk

deer. However, the

mam

threat facing red

wasted. Because of

pandas today

pandas have to eat a

habitat as trees are felled for timber

a specialised herbivore of a

we

is

the large-scale loss of their

dear space for crops and

and to

livestock.

31

SMALL CARNIVORES

The Weasel Family Fan

,

Mustelidae: 6 subfamilies. 26 genera, 66 species

WEASELS, MINK. Mustela 16

AND POLECATS

species, including long-tailed weasel

weasel

(M

*

nivalis):

(A/f

stoat

(M

1

species, wolverine (G gulo)

Vormela

1

species,

1

species, zorilla

Poecilictis

Poecilogale Galidis

7

(/.

1

(

V.

banded weasel

weasel

(

L

.

marine otter

(L.

Lutrogale

species,

1

Amblonyx Aonyx

(L

(P.

common

weasel),

mouse burrows. Mustelids

are small

enough

form the

largest family of carnivores

to

live in

and occur

naturally

Australia,

and

smaller islands.

What

Is

a Mustelid?

same

many

patagonicus)

other groups of carnivores, but their exact evolutionary history

river otter (L.

is

somewhat

obscure.

basic ancestors as

Some

zoologists believe

canadensis):

that the skunks are sufficiently different to be classified

felina)

.

sumatrana ); spot-

maculicollis): Eurasian otter

smooth-coated otter

Cape

2 species.

the least

libyca)

(L.

(L.

lutra)

perspicillata)

clawless otter (A. capensis):

their

own

separate family

in

—the Mephitidae.

Most mustelids attack and

their

kill

own

prey on

land, but the various species of otters obtain the majority

species, short-clawed otter (A. cinereus)

1

like

Mustelids evolved from the

3 species, including hairy-nosed otter ( L

necked otter

Some, such as the

grison (G. cuja)

4 species, including North American

Lutra

sea otter, are quite large; others,

weasel (also known as the European

some

little

legs.

throughout the world, except Antarctica,

peregusna)

genera, 13 species

Lontra

T

and short

European polecat

species, African striped weasel (P albinucha)

species, Patagonian

1

vi son):

striatus)

2 species, grison (G. vittata):

Lyncodon

OTTERS

marbled polecat

species, North African

1

frenata): least

mustejids are small, fierce animals with

long, thin bodies

putorius)

Gulo

Ictonyx

(A/f.

erminea), black-footed ferret

(A/f

mgripes ), American mink

A/f

i

8 genera, 24 species

ypically,

of their food (mainly fish) from the water.

Congo

clawless

mustelids, particularly martens

Some

and badgers, are more

otter {A. congicus)

omnivorous, eating a wide variety of Pteronura

1

Enhydra

species, sea otter (E lutris)

SKUNKS

and

nuts,

other vegetable material, as well as animal food. 1

To deal with such a variety of different foods,

3 genera, 10 species

Mephitis 2

species, striped

skunk

mephitis):

(A/f

hooded skunk

mustelids have a very varied dentition (arrangement of

(M macroura) teeth).

Spilogale 3 species, including western spotted skunk

The badgers and wolverine have the most teeth

(S, gracilis)

(38), including

Conepatus 5 (C.

MARTENS

fruit,

species, giant river otter (P brasiliensis)

species, including

mesoleucus): Andes skunk

(C.

grinding solid food and even bones.

chmga)

8

species, including pine

marten

(A/f

More

typically,

the

weasels have only 34 teeth, but they are needle sharp to

2 genera, 9 species

Martes

broad and almost flat-topped molars for

western hog-nosed skunk

marten (M. martes): yellow-throated

stab their prey and tear

it

to pieces.

The honey badger

flavigula)

has the fewest teeth, with just 32. Eira

species, tayra (£ barbara)

1

Mustelids are characteristically smelly creatures.

BADGERS 6 genera, 10 species Mydaus 2 species, teledu (A/f (M Arctonyx

Melogale 4 Metes

1

Mellivora

Taxidea

stink

badger

hog badger

species, •

specif".,

Skunks are notorious

(A

collaris)

European badger

noney badger

(A/f

(A/f

badger

(A/f

personata)

smells that are so characteristic of mustelids are produced

meles)

capensis)

Mustelids are typically small, fierce animals with long, thin bodies

American badger (T taxus) legs.

Some,

the least weasel,

SF

i

Also

when

weasels and stoats smell strongly. The pungent, choking

and short

32

for the stench they create

defending themselves against attack. Even the small

species, including Indian ferret

,p>-

1

Palawan

marchei) species,

1

javanensis),

1

is

like the stoat (right),

can be

fairly large,

the smallest carnivore on earth.

American 1:48, Wolverine 1:56, Badger, Honey 1:82

but one,

SMALL CARNIVORES

m

:ne ana scent glands underneath the base of the

The scent also to

is

used not only as a deterrent to attackers, but

mark out

territorial

—

like

family includes

likely

markings than any other group of mammals: the various

skunks, for example. as the least weasel

and

several

A

and

become

the marbled polecat, and

zorilla,

may

turn white

in

and even the

sea.

except during the mating season.

solitary

in

to be hostile. By contrast, the European badger

extended family groups known as

lives’

clans. Several speciesjl

of otter, as well as the spotted skunk, are relatively social

couple of northern species, such stoat,

wide range of

exploit a

Encounters between members of the same species are

However, the

more species with black-and-white

types of badgers, the

Between them, the mustelids

Most are

most other

— are some shade of brown.

Lifestyle

habitats, including forests, deserts,

boundaries.

The majority of mustelids

mammals

tail.

winter,

loose family groups.

animals, living

in

nocturnal, but

some

Most mustelids

are

i

o

are active any time of day or night.

Mustelids have five toes on their front and back feet,

paler with increasing age. All

j

mustelids have a keen sense of smell. Their hearing

usually with a sharp claw

is

used to subdue prey or to get a good grip on tree

excellent too, but their visual abilities are probably less

well developed than

many

in

other

mammal

on each. Sharp claws can be

branches. Borrowers, especially the badgers, have stouter

species.

Ij

but blunt claws. The typical slender body of most t

,

>

These mostly southerly species

means

that they are lithe

and

agile creatures,

of mustelid share the same body

able to climb well and squeeze through small gaps.

plan as the stoat and least

However, a long, thin shape also means they are

weasel, but tend to have black, not

generally larger: African striped weasel (1); zorilla (2); little

European polecat weasel

(5);

grison

(4);

Patagonian

marbled polecat

(7J;

body

metabolic

heat.

rate,

mammals

(8).

less

at preventing the

Although they have an unusually high

which compensates still

for heat loss by

have to spend a

lot

of time

hunting to acquire sufficient food to fuel their metabolism. Small weasels their

own weight

in

may need

to

consume

them indulge

in

half

prey every day. Mustelids are

therefore always alert for something to eat.

North African

banded weasel

than shorter-bodied

generating more, they

(3);

black-footed ferret (6);

efficient loss of

brown, as the major coloration, or are

2

mustelids

"surplus"

killing

when

Many

of

prey animals are

abundant, catching more than they need and hiding the bodies

and

away

a larger

become

for later consumption. Badgers are bigger,

body

loses proportionately less heat.

lethargic in winter, saving energy

short supply. They also feed

on

a

They

when food

is

wider variety of food,

including vegetable materials that take

34

SEE ALSO

ack Footed 1:46. Mink,

American 1:52, Badger, American 1:76, Badger, European 1:78

in

'

The mink and various species of otters

cold water and

live in

so keep themselves

dense, insulating

warm

fur.

with

This has

proved attractive to hunters, and species of otter have

many

suffered heavy losses as a result.

numbers of the

Conversely, large

American mink have been reared

on

farms

fur

in

various countries,

making the species

artificially

numerous. Some have escaped

now

and

cause considerable

problems to the not least

mink

native its

in

local wildlife,

Europe, where the is

being replaced by

American cousin. Other species of mustelid

have suffered a severe reduction in

their

numbers. For instance,

the American black-footed ferret reached the brink of total extinction,

captivity

but has since been successfully bred

and restored to the

wild.

At

least

in

16 other

© Spot-necked

otters playfully chase a terrapin in the clear waters of

Lake Tanganyika, east-central Africa. Such play reinforces social bonds

and helps young

otters perfect their hunting techniques.

species of mustelid are considered to be seriously

threatened. Gamekeepers and farmers have traditionally mustelids

killed

in

defense of their livestock,

©

Various

members of

with a shell in

its

forepaws

exterminating several species from whole countries. Otters

American mink with

have proved to be highly vulnerable

polecat

out

in

parts of Europe

agricultural

and

due to the

industrial

pollution, dying

tc

effects of acid rain

and

chemicals on their prey.

However, many species of carnivores are protection, both nationally

and

now

given legal

internationally. Moreover,

people are not as dependent on chickens or sheep for their

more

main income as they once were and can afford to be tolerant. Predator persecution

is

no longer

widespread and automatic; and indeed, many species, such as badgers and otters, are very popular.

The European polecat has been domesticated to create the ferrets used

in

the hunting of rabbits and small game.

A

few mustelid species are sometimes even kept as pets.

in its

(6);

wolverine following (7).

(1);

least

a rabbit (3);

winter coat

marten with a bird

a scent trail

the weasel family: Indian smooth-coated otter

(5);

weasel dragging a mouse

European badger

pine

(4);

(2);

European

SMALL CARNIVORES

Common name Scientific

name

weasel)

Mustela

Family

Mustelidae

Order

Carnivora

Size

Least Weasel

Least weasel (European

common

nivalis

Th'e world's

Length

Hemisphere. However,

dense undergrowth most of the

length:

1-5

time.

in

(3-12 cm) Least weasels are solitary, elusive creatures that

Weight

1

.7-3 oz

are hard to see, partly because they

;48-85 g)

fast

Key features Long,

sleek

and short

brown and

in

body with short

tail; flat,

legs

narrow head; fur reddish-

summer, with creamy-white neck turns white

belly;

winter

in

in

northern

and are gone

easily

be confused with

species of weasel

so

However, they are

a flash.

in

more common than people

move

realize.

They can

two other

at least

North America: the long-

in

populations tailed

Habits

Solitary, territorial

animals; fierce predators;

very active both day

Breeding

Up

to 2

and night

all

weasel (Mustela frenata) and the stoat, or

ermine (Mustela erminea).

year round

At a glance

all

three species look similar,

young born each year after gestation period of 34-37 days. Weaned at 3-4 weeks; females sexually

animal. The long-tailed weasel has distinct dark

mature

facial

live

litters

at

of 1-9

4 months, males

up to 10 years

at

in captivity,

8 months. usually

May

under a

but the least weasel

is

by far the smallest

markings, and both the long-tailed weasel

and the stoat have

bushy black-tipped

longer,

year in the wild tails.

Low

trill

a male

screech

to signal a friendly meeting

and a female;

when

between

Habitat

and

The European variant—the European

common

weasel

loud, harsh chirp or

disturbed or ready to attack

Mainly small rodents, especially mice; also rabbits, lemmings, moles, pikas, birds, fish, lizards,

insects

—was once regarded as

separate species, but

same

the

is

now

a

considered to be

species as the least weasel.

World's Smallest Carnivore

Almost anywhere providing suitable cover

Barely longer than a

rat,

and access to rodents, including meadows,

smallest carnivore

the world and the smallest

in

farmlands, prairies, marshes, and woodlands

of Distribution Northern Hemisphere: Canada, Alaska, Siberia, Japan,

northern U.S., northern

all

the mustelids.

Population abundant

One

of the

more

numerous small carnivores

the least weasel

is

the

has a long, sleek body

It

with short legs and a short

and narrow with

Europe, and Russia

Status

tail. Its

large black eyes

head

is

flat

and

prominent, rounded ears. During the

summer

months weasels have

a reddish-brown coat with

a creamy-white patch

on the neck and

early

fall

it

is

winter coat.

belly. In

replaced by a lighter-colored In

some northern weasel

populations, particularly

colder climates, the

in

coat turns completely white

in

winter.

The white

color gives the animals natural camouflage

against the

snow and

helps

them avoid

detection by predators.

Weasels have acute senses of

and hearing, and often stand on to scan their surroundings.

36

SEE ALSO

is

an elusive creature that

it is

hardly ever seen, remaining well hidden in

is

in

(17-25 cm); tail

smallest carnivore, the least weasel

abundant throughout a wide area of the Northern

head/body:

7-10

M us tela nivalis

•t

1:40,

Lemming, Norway 7:9

sight, smell,

their hind legs

They are incredibly

rl

WEASELS

LEAST WEASEL

quick and agile, and often dart around erratically or

bound along with

arched and their

their

backs

held straight out or

tails

pointing slightly upward. They have five clawed

toes on each foot, which they use to grab their prey and to climb trees. Their climbing ability

enables them to reach birds' nests, where they

can consume both eggs and chicks. They are also strong

swimmers. Weasels are powerful

animals for their size and are capable of

running 300 yards (275 m) while carrying a large

mouse

in

their

mouth!

Huge Appetites Weasels are so small and dynamic and have such a fast metabolic rate that

must eat almost

survive, they

weight

in

order to

in

half their

food each day. This means that they

must catch about two mice or one day lot

body

As

just to stay alive.

fat vole per

a result, they

spend

a

of time hunting, although they frequently

take short rests

in

one of

their dens.

Weasels are specialized predators of small rodents, but will also take birds, lizards, insects

whenever the opportunity

long, sleek

into the smallest crevices

and hunting rodents down

its

the weasel's head

body.

If

the rest of

arises. Their

body means that weasels are well

adapted to squeezing

In fact,

and

it

can squeeze

its

body

will

their

is

own

burrows.

the widest part of

its

head

into a hole,

follow without getting

stuck. Access to such tunnels provides weasels

with shelter from predators and also allows

them all

to hunt at any time of the day or night,

year round. They do not hibernate and can

hunt even under deep snow.

Weasels are renowned for being killers.

They catch small

prey,

efficient

which they

kill

with a few swift bites to the back of the neck. If

they encounter their prey head-on

tunnel, they

kill

it

in

a

with a crushing bite to the

windpipe. Weasels also hunt larger prey, which

© Weasels have extremely acute senses of hearing,

and

smell.

They

will often

sight,

stand on their hind

legs to scan their surroundings.

37

SMALL CARNIVORES

they stalk quietly and then pounce on the victim's

back for a

the base of the

series of precision bites to

Males, which are often

skull.

twice the size of females, are more

hunt larger

likely to

while the females mostly look

prey,

for small rodents.

The weasel's mode of killing

whatever

whenever

can,

it

survival involves

can. Faced

it

with an abundance of mice, the voracious

weasel follows the only pattern will

at

knows and

it

more than

kill

any one time.

it

It

can eat

sometimes

stores surplus food for future

meals its

a side

in

chamber

den. Weasels are extremely

and can

versatile

wherever there shelter

them

live in

They use

log.

Weasels

live in a

variety of habitats,

including thickets

and

woodlands, as long as there

is

a

piles,

mountainous

junk heaps, abandoned

and burrows dug by mice, ground

buildings,

squirrels, or

may

rock

do not normally

They usually make

regions. in

and open

wetland areas, sandy

deserts, or

dens

for

to reproduce

country, but

their

suitable

is

forested, bushy,

a rotten

live

and enough food

successfully.

A weasel by

off

chipmunks.

chambers with grass or

nest

line their

sometimes the

fur

colder climates they

In

and feathers of

prey.

good supply of

suitable prey.

No Time

to Lose

Weasels only have a short reproduce frequently and

life

span, but they

prolifically.

food

If

supplies are high, weasels are able to take

advantage of the favorable conditions, and

diligently for her

female weasels can have up to two

By seven to eight weeks the cubs begin to

year.

The weasels usually breed from

spring to late

about as

litters

few

five

as

litter

size

accompany

early

summer, and the pregnancy

weeks. The

per

lasts

may range from

one or two young to as many as 20,

depending on food average of four to

supplies, although

six is

an

their

38

the

same

deaf.

They only open

eyes after 30 days. The mother cares

SEE ALSO Marten, American

1:48, Mink,

up,

kill

later

mother on foraging

trips

efficiently for themselves.

and

A few

the family group begins to break

and the young

their

rapidly.

mother's

start to disperse

home

away from

range.

Weasels are heavily dependent on rodent

an American one cent coin and are wrinkled,

and

weeks

most common.

Newborn weasels weigh about

pink, naked, blind,

can soon

their

young, which develop

as

populations Often

in

the spring,

populations are low, there in

is

when

rodent

an associated peak

weasel mortality, probably through

starvation.

American 1:52; Lynx 2:40, Coyote 2:58,

Fox,

However, weasels also Red 2:64

fall

victim to

predators, particularly owls

and martens, but

also coyotes, lynx, hawks, cats, foxes, mink,

even stoats. Weasels are also frequently by

traffic as

and

killed

they dash across busy highways.

nesting birds.

In fact,

weasels are often

killed in

a harvest

traps intended for stoats.

Weasels are superbly check populations of

efficient at

many

keeping

hundreds of mice

a year to

crawling

Least weasels are often regarded as vermin by

feed herself and her offspring. Any

gamekeepers and poultry farmers, and have

game

been widely hunted and trapped. They are

weasel's value as a destroyer of pest spec

thought to

kill

young game

birds but are not

birds or poultry

which cause untold

is

far

in

to

outweighed by the

losses to

nest.

is

and the

capable of

down burrows

and squeezing

into

crevices in pursuit

les,

growing crops and

cons dered so serious a threat as stoats, which

stored food. Without predators

can devastate fragile populations of ground-

such losses would be even greater.

;

damage

mouse

the weasel's diet,

animal

weasel

investigates

Rodents form the bulk of

One female

Farmer's Helpers

kill

in

species of rodents

that can be harmful to agriculture. will

A weasel

like

the weasel

39

Stoat The stoat range

—

Mustela erminea

—or ermine, as

is.

much of its most widespread member of the

the

mustelid family.

name

called in

range includes a wide variety of

Its

habitat from windswept arctic tundra to dense forest.

short-tailed weasel)

Scientific

it is

M usreJa erminea

Family

Muste dae

Order

Cam.vora

The stoat almost certainly evolved as a rodent-

catchmg spec

Leng f ~ head/boc. 7-12.5 length

5-5

1

Weight

in

Key features

nch brown with cream on

brilliant

round Habits

wh*te

m

bei'y;

.vith

tail;

body

may

turn

and long whiskers

and clrnb

well; active

and

solitary

and

rats

S rgle

m

tter of

agile; a territorial,

jsually 4-9>

young born

spring after gestation period of 10

including delayed

months, males at 12 months. 0 years

m

captivity,

May

many fewer

at

live

in

at

Shr

Diet

Carnivorous, includes small especially rodents

and

inside a tunnel.

forests

from

arctic

spine

Its

much

to travel

A

flexible,

is

faster than

its

stoat can streak

sudden leaps and bounds, and change an

instant.

It

direction

can also climb trees and rocks

and swim extremely

well. Stoats

found up to 50 feet

(1

have been

5 m)

in

(800 m) offshore

trees

and over They have

half a mile

crossed even larger expanses of water,

in lakes.

the wild

mammals,

rabbits; also birds

apparently unaided, to colonize small coastal

C

islands in parts of their range. Stoats are light

their explorations at high

enough

speed and not

to run along the surface of fresh snow,

and

but can also

move below

the surface, out of

and sheltered from the wind.

sight of predators Varied,

enough to follow

2-3

eggs. repMes and amphibians

Habitat

The

burrows and to turn

rabbits into

it

slim

s

up to

squeaks when excited

Voice

ii

almost equally

it

months

Weaned

mplantation)

6-8 weeks, females sexuaily mature

1

physical adaptations

through long grass at amazing speeds, take

predator

3-18

and

around

in

Breeding

its

short iegs might suggest.

Mainly nocturnal, terrestnal. but can swim

fierce,

but

smuous body

which adows

wmter; smat head with

ears, large eyes,

st,

and hunting techniques make

animal's

ong-bodied animal

.•."e,

a

effective n pursuit of other vertebrate prey. g)

short legs and longish, black-tipped fur

tail

(4-12 cm)

5-12 oz 42-340

'

17-32 cm);

ir

Stoats carry out

surprisingly

bum

up a

great deal of energy. The

tundra and moorland to

and meadows

Regional Differences

long, thin

body

inefficient

when

is

also

it

Distribution Northern Hemisphere ^Eurasia and North

America from within Arctic

Circle to latitude

There are as of stoat,

Status

Population abundant. v

Common

despread, but trapped for fur

as

29 recognized subspecies

most of them from North America,

where they are often known as

and in

many

some

areas

short-tailed

weasels. They are distinguished as

much by

geography as by any obvious physical characteristics.

As a general

rule,

American

stoats are smaller than those in the Old World,

and throughout the

stoat's

geographical range

males are bigger than females, sometimes twice the size Perhaps the most notable regional difference

is

that in higher latitudes stoats turn

white

m

zones

retain their

winter, while those in

brown

color

more temperate all

year round

Stoats are small, but they sometimes use surprisingly large

40

SEE ALSO

all

1

.

Arctic 2:70, Bear Family,

home

The 2:82

ranges

An

active

male

to conserving heat.

comes

WEASELS

C HH3

-MHH

.

yyeumi. jut

.cat* Tuv