Animal weasel description. Weasel. Weasel is a brutal killer. The smallest predator. Video

weasel animal only the name is so tender. It seems that the owner of such a name should be tender, white and fluffy. To some extent, if you look at its outer shell, it is so.

And on the other hand, if you look, you can see a small and beautiful creature, distinguished by its bloodthirstiness and aggressiveness, more than once seen committing robberies on people's household plots.

Feature and habitat

weasel- This is a small and predatory creature that is a thunderstorm for many representatives of the planet's fauna. The average length of the animal is not more than 18 cm, its weight is not more than 100 g. The weasel's body is characterized by increased flexibility and resourcefulness. This beautiful animal has much in common with the ermine, the same body structure and fur color.

They differ only in parameters (the ermine is slightly larger), in a different color of the weasel's tail and its length, the weasel's tail is shorter. By the way, at the base of the weasel's tail there are special glands that, at the right time, can emit a disgusting smell.

On the small paws of the animal, sharp claws can be observed. On its oblong head, rounded ears are visible, not large sizes. Bifurcation is clearly visible on the nose of the animal. Laki's neck is long. When you look at it, you feel the power.

Weasel eyes resemble black convex beads, they are large. It is difficult to distinguish a female weasel from a male by external data. The only thing that helps in this is their size.

Females are 30% smaller than males. Weasels have beautiful fur. It has a short length and fits snugly to her body. Fur color changes with the season. AT winter time years, the weasel acquires a white fur color.

In summer it turns brown and only in some places it remains white. The quality of the pile does not change with the seasons. Weasels living in southern places always remain brown, regardless of the time of year. This cute mustelid animal is not only aggressive, but also fearless. Weasel in rare cases can flee.

Most often, when meeting with a potential enemy, she initially becomes in an appropriate frightening pose, and if this does not help, she grabs the enemy with her teeth with all her might. This fight is hard to break.

There were cases when, in an unequal battle with an opponent of a much larger size, the weasel simply died under its weight. But at the same time, she managed to gnaw the throat of her enemy. Fights of males are accompanied by a loud squeal.

Animals prefer to lead a solitary lifestyle, this should be taken into account by those who want buy affection. The boundaries of its existence in wild environment they mark with scent marks.

Despite such a small size, weasel is very dangerous creature. Thanks to its ability to move quickly, deftly dodge, skillfully climb trees, weasel can come out unscathed from any situation. In addition, she is an excellent swimmer.

You can meet weasel in many territories, its habitat is simply extensive - in Australia, America, Korea, Asia, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Europe.

This hardy creature can take root anywhere. The only exceptions are the highlands and polar deserts. In some places, the animal locates its dwelling near human settlements. At the same time, weasel does not make any special structures, trying to master and ennoble what is.

For this, barns, rodent burrows, ruins, hollows located below, laying firewood, places between stones and tree roots are excellent. For the improvement of its nesting place, the weasel uses fern leaves, chestnut, moss and dry vegetation.

An interesting fact from the life of a weasel is that in one area she may have more than one permanent home. In case of danger or if someone suddenly frightened her, the weasel immediately changes its place of deployment. The animal becomes especially cautious when cubs are near it.

Villagers treat affection differently. On the one hand, they should thank her for the mass extermination of mice that eat crops. On the other hand, weasel can often visit them in the household yard and steal a bird.

It is worth noting that chickens are a delicacy for these animals. At the same time, affection simply loses all sense of proportion. As soon as she gets into the chicken coop, she can strangle literally all of its inhabitants. She steals eggs with great pleasure. People try in every way get rid of pet affection.

Character and lifestyle

When choosing a habitat, the weasel stops at those places where there are a lot of mice and other living creatures that are tasty for it. Prefers to lead sedentary life. In females, this is obtained throughout all year round.

Males, on the other hand, have to leave their permanent home in search of a partner. To move weasels make small jumps. You can often see how they stand on their hind legs. Thus, predators look around.

The burrows of the animal are built in the form of a labyrinth, where there are many entrances and exits. Due to the diminutiveness of this small predator, it finds its victims right in their homes. In winter, it is not difficult for a weasel to track down a rodent under the snow.

For hunting weasel most often chooses night time. This helps her agility, agility, excellent ability to swim, climb trees and run. When attacked, she is daring, bold and bloodthirsty. Thus, in a few words, description of affection. She prefers to lead a terrestrial lifestyle.

With the help of jumping, the weasel tries to bypass unprotected territories. If necessary, during the day the animal can overcome 1-2, or even more kilometers. In winter, he uses snow voids for movement without problems.

Nutrition

About, what do weasel animals eat it's easy to guess. Her diet includes all representatives of mouse-like rodents. With great appetite she eats mice, rats, shrews and moles.

Very fond of weasel, rabbits. She will never refuse to make a hole in the egg and drink all its contents. When the animal does not have enough food, weasel does not disdain, lizards, medium-sized and other amphibians.

He prefers to prepare products for himself. You can often find at least 30 mice in a weasel dwelling. The weasel's way of neutralizing its victim practically does not change, it digs into its sharp teeth in her neck. Such a fight is very difficult to separate.

Reproduction and lifespan

This issue is still under study. From what we know, we know that pregnant females can be, as in summer time, as well as in winter. In males and females, pairing occurs only during the mating season.

The gestation period lasts from a month to two. As a result, 3-10 cubs are born. A pattern was noticed - the more mice appear in nature, the more babies turn out to be in the litter of weasels.

For 8 weeks, babies eat exclusively mother's milk. After 14 days, the family gradually breaks up. The female simply drives her babies away from herself, who, willy-nilly, have to enter into adult life.

Average duration life of animals in the wild lasts about 3-5 years. Weasel at home lives half as long. The price of affection democratic. One young individual can cost no more than 5 thousand rubles.

There are a lot of animals that fit the name " living mercury". Long, nimble, incredibly mobile, and even covered with silky fur - these animals often cause a desire to get to know each other better. Among the marten there is a representative named weasel. Let's look at the photo, how it looks, find out where it lives, why it is called that and whether it is possible to enjoy communication with a fluffy cheat at home.

Portrait of a predator on the background of nature

There is no one smaller than weasel in the Predatory squad. Males can grow up to 26 cm in length and gain weight up to 250 g. The body of the animal is elongated, and the legs are disproportionately short, like a dachshund. However, in dexterity it surpasses not only the dachshund, but even the cat. Rapidly moving in short jumps, the predator easily and often changes direction. Not even a lizard can get away from it.

For full description type should be added:

• in summer short brown fur on the head and back, dazzling white on the throat, breast and belly;
• winter fur is thicker and completely white;
• elongated head;
• short rounded ears;
• anal glands with strong-smelling secretions.

Weasels are sometimes confused with stoats. They do look alike, but the stoat has a black tassel on its tail, the same one that makes the lining of the royal robe look like it is streaked.

Attention! wild caresses can carry rabies - do not come into contact with them.

Legendary and elusive

Weasels live throughout Europe, Russia, Canada, in the northern states of the United States and a little bit in Africa - not far from the Strait of Gibraltar. It does not belong to rare animals, but it is difficult to meet and even more so to catch it. Incredibly nimble, she will climb into any narrow gap, hole, under a snag, go over stones, windfall and deadwood.

The predator feeds on any animals comparable in size: mice, voles, shrews, rats, snakes, frogs, and if it doesn’t find anything like that, then insects. The animal is attracted to subsidiary farms, where he can eat a chicken or a rabbit.

Weasel loves to hunt in the stables: there are many mouse nests in the hay and bedding. In the old days, in the mornings, peasants often found their horses lathered, tired, with tangled manes - they seemed to be riding all night. They thought that this "stable neighbor" was playing a trick, riding a horse, it turned out - a weasel. The predator easily jumps on the horse's back to feast on grains of salt in place of dried sweat. At the same time, sometimes it bites through the withers and licks drops of blood.

Why is this aggressive quirky animal called weasel? The ancient Slavs revered him as the patron of the house - secretive, but does not leave housing. Many peoples have a legend according to which a kind daughter-in-law, undeservedly cursed by her mother-in-law, turned into a caress.

Caress in the house: comfort or disaster

AT Ancient Rome appreciated the ability of the predator to exterminate mice and welcomed him in the houses. But very soon ruthless rodent fighters were replaced by more docile cats. Unlike the Romans, modern lovers of not quite familiar pets give birth to affection in order to enjoy her indomitable energy.

The condition under which the animal can become a cute pet is taming it “from an early age”. Taken into the house from two months and older, the weasel will remain wild, aggressive, unpredictable, will bite and sooner or later run away.

For the guest you will need a large cage, preferably a high aviary with a floor area of ​​at least a square meter. The floor of the enclosure is covered with straw or hay. Placed inside:

• a cat tray with wood filler (there is a chance that the pet will learn how to use it);
• stable feeder and nipple drinker;

• wooden house for shelter;
• shelves and driftwood for climbing.

Attention! Weasel will crawl anywhere, so the bars of the aviary should be quite frequent.

The weasel diet includes meat, poultry, fish, eggs - everything that the animal obtains in nature. Ready-made food for cats and dogs is categorically not suitable, as are goodies from the table.

Weasel bathes with pleasure in the bath, takes care of the hair herself. Sheds in spring and autumn, changing from bicolor to white and vice versa. At this time, the animal can be stroked with a damp hand to remove the hairs that have come out.

Nimble and fearless, completely unkind, in nature this predator devotes all her time to hunting. Diligently exterminating breeding rodents, she has helped other animals maintain balance in food chains for millions of years.

Pet weasel: video

Weasel is the smallest representative of the predatory order. Weasel is very reminiscent of an ermine, but differs in small size and a shorter, and most importantly, one-color tail - it does not have a black tassel on its tail. In summer fur, the top of the weasel is brownish-brown, and the bottom is pure white color.

• Where does weasel live

Weasel is found in Europe, North Asia and North America. Lives in fields and forests, in mountainous and low-lying areas, not avoiding populated areas. Settles under stones, in hollows, in ruins, in burrows, barns, etc. Weasels often form colonies. The nest is lined with dry grass, moss, chestnut and fern leaves.

• How long does a weasel live

Weasel lives on different sources, 17, 20, 30 years; robust males sometimes live up to 60 years (as a rule, animals as large as weasels live no more than 8 years).

• What does weasel eat

Weasel is very agile and agile, runs fast, climbs and swims well, is distinguished by great courage and aggressiveness and is a dangerous enemy for all small animals; her food is made up of brownies, field and forest mice, rats, moles, young rabbits, hamsters, chickens, pigeons, as well as lizards, copperheads, snakes, even vipers, frogs, insects. In places where it is not pursued, the weasel hunts day and night. By exterminating mice, it brings great benefits, which, in any case, outweigh the harm it sometimes brings to chicken coops. Weasel sometimes successfully fights off even relatively large birds of prey(for example, kites).

Meeting with kindness

By mid-April bright Sun rays melted the remnants of snow in the forest, and floods began in the floodplain of the Oka River. In areas not flooded with water, fresh young greens were already breaking through last year's withered grass. In some places one could see golden-green spots of one of the primroses - spring chistyak.

Its shiny, round leaves are hoof-shaped, so it's no surprise that vernacular name this flower and sounds - hooves. Chistyak loves wet, damp places - it grows along the banks of rivers, streams, near meadow lakes and swamps, in damp places deciduous forests. The bright yellow flowers are closely related to buttercups, and like them, they are not eaten by animals because of their poisonousness.

The entire shore of one of the lakes where I went was dotted with mouse minks. Very soon a motley carpet of meadow grasses will hide it, but so far there is still little grass, and the minks are clearly visible. Stopping, I began to listen for a bird squeaking in the coastal bushes. Indeed, on the edge of the spill, you can already see bluethroats and yellow wagtails looking for food. And suddenly, very close by, there was a loud piercing-grinding squeal, as if someone had been accidentally stepped on! Out of the corner of my eye I saw a small long body from the side, rushing into one of the holes. It was a kindness. Apparently, she did not expect to see a person next to her and squealed in fright.

Weasels are quite common in our country, however, due to their small size, it is not often possible to see them. In length, this animal is only 11 to 26 cm, the tail is from 2 to 8 cm. Flickered - and it is not. However, many animals respond primarily to movement. Therefore, if you do not move, then sometimes you can watch some little animal. So it happened with this kindness. I did not move, and the caress again appeared from the mink, only from a completely different one. Leaning out for 2-3 seconds, she disappeared. For the next half an hour, the weasel only did what appeared from one mink, then from another, then a couple of meters from me, or even at 20-30. All the holes were interconnected by underground passages, so it was impossible to determine in advance where her muzzle would appear next time. Sometimes the weasel even got up on its hind legs and vigilantly looked around the surroundings.

Some of the weasel's burrows were flooded by the beginning flood, and then the weasel jumped out wet. Of course, she did not play hide and seek with me at all, as it might seem from the outside, the weasel hunted. On the surface she looked out small birds, and in underground passages looking for mice and shrews. miniature dimensions of this predator allow him to overtake his victims right in their own holes! In addition to mice and birds, weasels can prey on frogs and insects. In winter, the weasel chases rodents under the snow. At this time of the year, the animal wears a snow-white fur coat, and in summer its color is two-tone - the top and paws are painted in Brown color and the bottom is white. During the breeding season, the female weasel builds a ball-shaped nest out of grass. In a brood from 4 to 8 cubs.

Villagers do not like affection. First, like a ferret, she carries chickens. And secondly, it “tickles” cows that are huge in comparison with it, which is why they “get scared and sweat”. That's what it is!

VIDEO Weasel is a cruel killer. The smallest predator

Weasel was caught next to a mouse nest in potato tops. Even sitting in the bank, she has not lost her hunting instinct. Of course they sent her back.

Today we tried to collect all the most interesting. The weasel animal, the photo of which is given below, although a small, but very formidable predator of our forests. And today we will tell you about it.

Is it kindness?

Weasel is a small cute animal belonging to the mustelid order. This mammal, despite its name, which symbolizes something kind and gentle, is considered very bloodthirsty and aggressive.

Appearance of a weasel

The body length of this animal does not exceed 22 centimeters, and the animal weighs only 40 to 100 grams! This tiny creature is very dodgy and nimble. The weasel has a thin and long body. And the animal is long, but not fluffy tail with a “surprise”: the fact is that right under the tail she has glands that secrete a very odorous substance, the smell of which is very sharp and unpleasant.

The muzzle of the weasel is elongated, the ears are round and small. Nature has awarded the animal with expressive dark eyes, thanks to them the weasel looks like such a cute animal! The neck of the animal is solid, not thin.

The fur cover is very beautiful, although the weasel is not fluffy, but has a tight fitting short fur. Weasel is a molting animal, so its color is different and depends on the time of year. With the onset of winter, the weasel “puts on” a protective white coat to become invisible on snow cover. But in warm time year the animal becomes brownish-brown, and only in the lower part of the body remains white fur.

Apparently a squirrel lives in a hollow ... weasel is very dangerous for her.

Weasel lifestyle and behavior

This small animal has a very predatory nature, it behaves, at times, very boldly and arrogantly. He can even afford to sneak into outbuildings near residential buildings in order to get food.

Weasel is a very active animal, it is awake day and night, but, most often, it hunts in the dark. The animal does not like to appear in open, unprotected areas, preferring to spend more time in bushes or in other secluded places.

The lifestyle of the animal is solitary. Each person "separates" for himself the territory on which he lives and hunts, usually it is no more than 10 hectares. Weasels mark the boundaries of their "possessions" with smells left with the help of traces.

Where does weasel live? Photo in nature

If we talk about the range on the scale of states and continents, then the animal is found in North America, Korea, Mongolia, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Australia, Europe, Algeria, Japan. As you can see, weasel lives on almost everything. the globe.

Concerning natural areas, then here the animal is not very picky: it can live in a variety of biotopes, only it avoids polar deserts and snow-covered highlands. Weasel lives in the tundra, on the banks of water bodies, in lowlands, in the forest-steppe, in the forest, in alpine meadows and even in the desert. Sometimes it can settle near human habitation.

But the weasel is in no hurry to build a “home” for itself - it is easier for her to take someone’s housing, for example, a rodent hole. In addition, a weasel can equip a dwelling in a barn or in some ruins, natural holes (crevices) or under stones. Inside the "house" of this animal, everything is covered with chestnut leaves, ferns or any dry herbs.

What does weasel eat

The main food for weasels are mice and other rodents (, rats, field mice). But if she managed to get into the territory of a human dwelling, then she will not leave without prey. This little agile thief will surely drag away with her a little rabbit, chicken or chicken, dove or partridge. And if he finds eggs, then he will eat them.

When her main food is little or not at all, then the weasel can get enough by eating a snake, a lizard, large insects or fish. This animal sometimes stores food for itself, for example, it can hide mice.

How do weasels reproduce?

In the first month of spring, these animals begin mating season. It passes very brightly: males arrange fights for females, all this is accompanied by a variety of sounds, and very loud ones.

But, as soon as pregnancy occurs, the males leave the female. Bearing cubs lasts 35 days. Over this time future mom prepares a dwelling where she will nurse her offspring. For themselves and their cubs, the weasel lines the nest with soft grass and moss so that the babies are cozy and warm.

It is not clear where such a name came from, because it is difficult to call Laska a gentle animal - although it is a small, but dexterous and ferocious predator.

Its modest size (body length hardly exceeds 25cm) Weasel balances the unprecedented flexibility of the body, agility and speed.

What does Weasel look like?

Fur Weasel monochromatic reddish-brown, only the neck and belly are painted white. Grows with cold weather new coat with a long pile of white color - this is not only a salvation from winter frosts, but also an excellent camouflage that allows Laska to be invisible against the background of snowdrifts. Hence came and Latin name Weasels - Mustela nivalis- which translates as " snowy".

Strong short legs with sharp claws allow Weasel to climb trees and tear mouse holes, but she has to move in jumps, arching her back high, and in order to look around, she has to stand on her hind legs and look out from behind tall grass.

Where does Laska live?

Weasel does not have a permanent shelter, he uses secluded places for recreation: rock crevices, spaces between roots and thickets of shrubs, rarely climbs trees.

weasel widespread in the Northern Hemisphere. It can be found in forests, and in open areas among shrubs, and in overgrown clearings, in the tundra, steppes, and alpine meadows.

What does weasel eat

weasel absolutely not whimsical in the choice of habitats, the main condition for Laska's living is an abundance of food: mice-voles are the basis of a healthy Weasel nutrition, although she can diversify her diet with a gaping bird, bird eggs, large rodents, lizards and frogs, fish, and even snakes and rabbits, Weasel and insects do not disdain.

Weasel habits

In ancient times, it was believed that meeting with Laska brings misfortune and such a belief did not appear out of the blue. Weasel is a curious and arrogant animal, she is not at all afraid of people and can easily steal a piece of barbecue or a catch caught on a fishing trip - she will do it quickly, efficiently and imperceptibly. Her tricks are so quick and sudden that you don’t even have time to get angry.
There was also an opposing view that Kindness brings happiness and good luck. Weasel in a short period of time can destroy large population rodents, which cause considerable harm agriculture- thus it brings invaluable benefits to a person.

Laska's lifestyle

Weasel is active at any time of the day, but prefers to hunt at night.
With the onset of evening twilight Weasel goes hunting, its long slender body allows it to easily make its way into mouse holes, and its sharp claws easily cope with larger game.
With quick and dexterous movements, Laska examines her hunting grounds, running more than 1 km per day.

In the winter season, Weasel prefers to move in voids under a layer of snow, and if a lot has fallen from the snow, it may not appear on the surface for a long time.
Weasel is a very prudent and thrifty beast, in a well-fed time she makes stocks, folding mouse carcasses in a secluded place - such a stash will come in handy for her in times of famine.

The area of ​​Weasel's hunting area depends on the number of rodents that live on it: if there is enough food, Weasel can live in a small area for a long time, and when food becomes scarcer, it moves to places richer in food.

Each Weasels mark their territory a special odorous substance that is secreted by glands located under the tail. Weasels do not tolerate neighbors and, when they meet each other, they arrange a brawl with a squeal and a showdown. Occasionally, the hunting grounds of the male and female may intersect along the perimeter.

Weasel breeding

The biorhythms of Weasels are closely related to the number of mice-voles - the main food of Weasels: if there is a lot of food, then Weasels will bring offspring without interruption, 3-4 broods per year, and the number of puppies in a brood increases to 10 pieces, instead of the usual 4-5 puppies .
But if there is not enough food, then the number of puppies in the litter decreases, and the number of pregnancies per year decreases.

Usually breeding season fall at the end of spring, the male can run away far beyond his territory in search of girlfriends. Having mated with one female, he goes in search of a new one, not participating in the care of the babies and completely avoiding his father's duties.

Weasel's pregnancy lasts a little over a month, 30-35 days.
Before the birth of puppies, weasel mother builds a cozy nest, which he arranges in a hollow, between the roots of trees, as well as in other people's holes, from which Weasel drives out the tenants. Laska herself does not know how to dig holes. Weasel lines the floor and walls of the nest with dry grass, leaves, wool and moss - in such a nest, children will be warm and safe, because they are born blind and helpless and weigh about 1.5 g.

For the first weeks of life, babies feed on mother's milk and remain in the nest. Only when fully grown they begin to leave the nest and follow their mother, learn to eat adult food and learn hunting skills.
3-4 months after birth, babies become completely independent from their mother and independent.