1. Main characteristics
The tiny but ferocious predator was called a weasel. Weasel is the closest relative of representatives of the genus Mustela of the Cunyi family of the Carnivorous order (mink, ermine, ferrets). Moreover, in this order, the animal is the smallest, while the largest is the polar bear. Quite unexpected, but true.
Weasels have a flexible, elongated body, a miniature head and a short muzzle. In the summer season, the "fur coat" of the weasel is colored brown on top (from sandy to dark brown, depending on the subspecies) and white on the bottom. In the winter season, the fur of the animal is completely white. The weasel has a striking resemblance to the ermine, only it is smaller and the tip is not painted black on the tail. It is by the size and tail that you can accurately identify it.
The range of body length of the weasel is quite wide. Females can be 11-20 centimeters long and males 13-26 centimeters long. The size is affected by the subspecies. Weasels live almost everywhere in the northern hemisphere: Eurasia, North America, in the northern part of Africa. Moreover, the largest representatives live in the south - in the steppes and mountains of Kazakhstan, the Caucasus, in the southern part of Asia. The smallest ones inhabit almost the entire territory of Russia, in North America and Europe. In the middle lane, a subspecies lives, the sizes of which are average.
The body weight of weasels is also ambiguous. Males can weigh 40-50 to 250 grams, while females weigh 30-120 grams.
The habitat of weasels is extensive. They can be seen in forests, floodplains, copses, fields, valleys, mountains and even settlements. The main thing is to have something to profit from and hide. Animals prefer secrecy, so they rarely come across to human eyes.
2. What the weasel eats
The main diet of weasels consists of small rodents such as jerboas, mice, voles, and insectivores, such as moles and shrews. Somewhat less often, they hunt larger rodents - hamsters and rats. Often, the number of weasels directly depends on the amount of prey.
This small predator perfectly catches birds, destroys nests, stealing eggs from them, and hunts mammals. Lizards, snakes and vipers can also become its victims, but this happens much less often. There are also large trophies in the form of black grouse, hazel grouse, wood grouse, rabbits.
3. Territoriality
The territory of the male always borders on the territories of females (as a rule, several) or includes them in its own. Animals mate in spring and at the very beginning of summer. In the future, the female is fully engaged in offspring. There are almost always five to six babies in a litter. The female gives birth to them in a safe shelter. Females do not have holes made with their own paws. They occupy the "houses" of other rodents. The nesting part is lined with pre-dried grass and prey skins.
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The eyes and ears of the cubs open within a month, and after another month the cubs try to hunt themselves. After ten to twelve weeks from birth, "young people" leave their parents in search of their own territories.
It will be equally interesting and useful to find out whether all animals are afraid of fire: from which animals a fire in the forest will not save.
A source: https://novate.ru/blogs/140721/59767/
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