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| Fact Sheet |
| Scientific Name |
Mustela frenata |
| Description |
Long-tailed weasels have a long, cylindrical body with a triangular head, pointed nose, short ears and bushy tail. In summer, long-tailed weasels have a brown back with a white chin, chest and underbelly, and a black-tipped tail. In winter, they are all white with a black-tipped tail. |
Tracks |
Front/Rear–1" L, 1" W |
| Total Length |
12-22 inches |
| Weight |
Less than 1 pound |
| Habitat |
Long-tailed weasels are found throughout North Dakota and inhabit all types of vegetation, but prefer areas near wetlands. Dens are often burrows created by other animals, or rock or log piles. |
| Breeding Season |
July-August. Fertilized eggs then delay implantation for 8-9 months. |
| Gestation Period |
27 days |
| Litter Size |
3-9 (average 4-5) |
| Social Aspects |
Solitary, except when breeding or rearing young. |
| Status |
Furbearer with a limited open season, stable population. |
| Food Habits |
Long-tailed weasels are carnivorous, consuming a variety of prey including voles, mice, moles, shrews, squirrels, rabbits, muskrats, birds, eggs, snakes and carrion. |
| Fun Facts |
Long-tailed weasels are the largest and most common of three weasel species found in North Dakota. The other two are the ermine, or short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea), and the least weasel (Mustela nivalis). |
