Illustration from Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia/Corbis
Long-Tailed Weasel
Mustela frenata longicauda
Subspecies of Weasel
November 9, 1804, at Fort Mandan, North Dakota—part of April 7, 1805, shipment to President Jefferson in Washington, D.C.
A long-bodied, short-legged animal. Brown above; white to deep yellow below. Tail long, often equal to head and body length; brown with black tip. Feet brownish. Male weighs about twice as much as female.
Forested, brushy, and open areas, preferably near water.
Southern British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan south through most of U.S. except southeastern California, southeastern Nevada, and much of Arizona. Range extends southward to Bolivia.
The most widespread carnivore in the Western Hemisphere, the long-tailed weasel preys largely on mice and voles.
