Velvety Weasel

tanjabrittonwriter 55 Comments

I am, of course, making an assumption about the consistency of this Long-tailed Weasel’s fur, as I have never had the opportunity to touch one, and likely will never get it. But looking at this animal’s pelt, the thought suggests itself.

The ground squirrel who has just made a lucky escape likely felt the weasel’s claws and did not pay attention to its coat, understandably so. It was saved by a human passerby who surprised the hunting weasel, and we are only privy to the excitement because we hear the squealing ground squirrel before it runs off. This event takes place in the same forest service campground which provides us with hummingbird magic.

We have seen these striking members of the mustelid family (Mustelidae) before, but never from so close or for so long. This one seems to have made its home under the campground dumpster, at least for the time being. Maybe it’s a little incredulous about having missed breakfast, as its speed and sharp claws and teeth make it a successful hunter, its cute and cuddly appearance belying its fierce nature. As we learn later, this weasel is the most widespread carnivore in the Western Hemisphere and subsists mostly on mice and voles but will capture a host of other prey ranging in size from insects and earthworms to rats and rabbits and poultry, if given a chance.

When the animal disappears, likely in search of food, we, too, wander back to our campsite, where we eat our own (meat-free) breakfast.

55 thoughts on “Velvety Weasel”

    • Thank you, Mr. P. We were surprised at how long the weasel lingered, with several people watching. I suspect (s)he was still taken aback at not having caught the ground squirrel and kept making sure it wasn’t still around.

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  11. What a deceiving appearance this little guy has, with it’s milk chocolate coloured coat and sweet little eyes. I had no idea that weasels had such an appetite for meat…Glad the squirrel got away but I suppose he found someone to snack on for lunch or dinner.

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    • Thanks for your comment, Eliza.
      Nature seems to have perfected ways of killing other beings. I have a biologist friend who, like myself, does not enjoy watching one animal kill another. “Too much nature,” is his way of expressing it.

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  16. I’ve never seen a weasel of any sort; I wondered if there were different species, and indeed there are. This one’s a cutie; in its upright pose, it reminds me of a Meerkat. Its coat does seem rather velvety, and your mention brought an unrelated thought to mind. Have you read the book The Velveteen Rabbit? If not, I’ll not offer spoilers here, but I do think it’s one that you’d really like.

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    • We have even seen this animal in winter, when its coat is completely white, in order to better blend into its surroundings. It does resemble a meerkat when upright, though running into that animal anywhere outside of zoo would be a huge surprise. 🙂

      I have not read The Velveteen Rabbit. But I placed an order at our local library. Thank you for the suggestion!

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  17. Ich habe leider noch nie ein Wiesel gesehen. Du zeigst uns wunderbare Bilder, man wünscht sich, man wäre in diesen Momenten bei Dir gewesen. Mit einer Kamera natürlich. Wir haben Marder im Garten – unser Hund bewacht sie so gut er kann – erfolglos 😉
    LG MAren

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    • Dankeschön, liebe Maren. Wir waren very happy über diese Momente. 😊

      Marder können wohl ziemlich aggressiv sein. Ich hoffe, Euer Hund wird ihm nicht zufällig mal zu nahe kommen, aber das scheint ja glücklicherweise nicht der Fall zu sein!

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  20. How cool! I’ve only ever caught fleeting glimpses of weasels before. That’s neat that he was hanging around and you could capture so many cute photos of him. I also had no idea they were the most widespread carnivore… really interesting factoid!

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  22. Ah, way over the top cuteness! (I thought the profile shot was especially fetching…) So puzzling that something so cute could be such a good hunter.

    I have never seen a weasel, though I know they must be around here. Thanks do much for sharing these “portraits”. It’s almost as if it liked posing . 🙂

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    • Thank you, Julie. We were very surprised at how long it was sticking around, tolerating our gazes and my camera. No complaints, though!

      That side view surprised me a little. Having looked at it straight on, I expected a rounder and less pointed profile.

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