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Weasel Facts & Worksheets

A weasel is a small, agile mammal that belongs to the Mustelidae family of the Mustela genus.

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A weasel is a small, agile mammal that belongs to the Mustelidae family of the Mustela genus. Weasels have small heads, short legs, long bodies, and long necks.

See the fact file below for more information on the weasel, or you can download our 24-page Weasel worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Introducing the Weasel

  • Weasels belong to the Genus Mustela of the family Mustelidae. 
  • This genus includes ferrets, stoats, polecats, and the European mink, which all have long slender bodies carried on short legs.
  • They are also related to otters, badgers, and wolverines, which belong to the Mustelidae family.
  • Weasel coats are usually red or brown in color, and the females are smaller than the males.
  • Their range spans North and South America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
  • Weasels are not found in Antarctica or Australia.
  • The term weasel was originally used to refer to only one species: the least weasel (Mustela nivalis).
  • Now it refers to 17 weasel species in the Mustela genus.
  • Weasels live in a wide range of habitats, like woodlands, coniferous forests, farmlands, and grasslands.
  • Weasels can live up to three years in the wild and up to ten years in captivity. The average lifespan is 1 to 2 years.

Species

  • The least weasel is the world’s smallest carnivorous animal.
  • Least weasels vary in length from 6.75 – 8.5 in (173 – 217 mm). 
  • Larger weasels can grow up to 12 in (30 cm).
  • The short-tailed weasel is the most common weasel.
  • The short-tailed weasel inhabits North American, South American, Asia, and European regions.
  • The long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata) is found in North America.
  • The tropical weasel, or Amazon weasel (Mustela Africana), lives in South America.
  • Other species include:
    • Mountain weasel (Mustela altaica)
    • Colombian weasel (Mustela felipei)
    • Japanese weasel (Mustela itatsi)
    • Yellow-bellied weasel (Mustela kathiah)
    • Indonesian mountain weasel (Mustela lutreolina)
    • Malayan weasel (Mustela nudipes)
    • Siberian weasel (Mustela sibirica)
    • Back-striped weasel (Mustela strigidorsa)
    • Egyptian weasel (Mustela subpalmata)

Habitat and Diet

  • Most weasels live in burrows abandoned by other creatures. They also make nests under trees or rock piles.
  • Weasels have very fast metabolisms and therefore need to eat often.
  • A weasel will eat 40 – 60 percent of its body weight every day.
  • They don’t have a lot of fat in their body, so they need to keep consuming food to maintain their energy.
  • Weasels are carnivores, meaning they eat other animals.
  • The diet of a weasel is varied. It includes frogs, lizards, hares, squirrels, rodents, voles, birds, insects, dead meat, and bird eggs.
  • Their slender bodies are an advantage when hunting for food because they can squeeze themselves into small spaces that are hard to get into by larger creatures.
  • Weasels are also fierce hunters. They are feisty and perceive anything that moves as a potential meal for themselves.
  • Weasels can kill prey up to 10 times their size.
  • Their tactic in killing their prey is to intimidate the animal by hopping/dancing back and forth and then unexpectedly pouncing.
  • They then hold onto the prey’s neck and bite until the prey is dead.
  • When plenty of prey is available, weasels keep on hunting to store food for leaner times.
  • They store this excess food hidden near the entrance of their burrows.
  • Weasels curl up into a ball and lower their metabolism to keep warm during cold spells.

Reproduction and Offspring

  • The pattern by which female weasels mate and give birth varies from species to species.
  • Females become sexually mature at about three months old, while males become sexually mature at about four months old.
  • The mating season is during the spring and early summer.
  • Female weasels give birth to a litter of between 8 and 15 offspring at a time and produce either one or two litters annually.
  • The gestation period is between 35 days to 10 months, depending on the species.
  • The newborn weasels are called kits. 
  • Kits are blind and have pink skin covered with a fine pale down. Their adult fur quickly grows as they develop.
  • At about two weeks of age, they begin to leave the nest to explore and learn.
  • Young are weaned at 3-4 weeks and can fend for themselves and kill prey efficiently by eight weeks of age.
  • They are most active at night. 

Did You Know? 

  • A group of weasels can be called a boogle, a pack, or a confusion.
  • The least weasel is the world’s smallest mammalian carnivore.
  • Weasels are nocturnal animals; they are most active at night and like to rest/sleep during the day.
  • When awake, weasels spend most of their time hunting, eating, and storing food for later.
  • Weasels do not hibernate. They are active throughout the year.
  • Weasels know how to hop and run.
  • They are also good swimmers but are not very good climbers.
  • Weasels are generally loners when they’re not mating or caring for their offspring.
  • Weasels are territorial and will defend their homes from any attempt at invasion.
  • A weasel’s common predators are foxes, hawks, owls, eagles, and snakes.
  • Domestic dogs and cats can also be a threat to weasels.
  • Weasels can be a nuisance to humans. They kill and eat domestic poultry and rabbits and raid nests of chicken eggs.
  • Generally, weasels are not threatened or endangered. However, species like the Japanese weasel, the Colombian weasel, and the mountain weasel are becoming threatened and vulnerable.
  • The weasel is considered an invasive species in New Zealand.
  • Some weasel species have fur that changes color. In winter, these species’ fur will turn white to blend in with the snow.

Weasels in Different Cultures

  • According to Greek beliefs, a weasel near one’s house is bad luck.
  • In Japan, the cry of a weasel is considered a bad omen or a ghost (“yokai”).
  • Native Americans treat weasels as mischievous spirits or magical, clever creatures.
  • On the other hand, weasels are believed to be linked to magic in Germany and good fortune in Macedonia.

Weasel Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about weasels across 24 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use Weasel worksheets are perfect for teaching students about a weasel, a small, agile mammal belonging to the Mustelidae family of the Mustela genus. Weasels have small heads, short legs, long bodies, and long necks.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

  • Weasel Facts
  • My Weasel Drawing
  • Right Adjectives
  • Species One-Liners
  • Scientific Name Match
  • On The Hunt
  • Mustela Members
  • Different Cultures
  • Uncovered Facts
  • Weasel Gallery
  • Pop Goes The Weasel

Frequently Asked Questions

Are weasels aggressive creatures?

Although weasels are considered aggressive predators, they will not attack/bite unless they are provoked. They have sharp teeth and will bite if they feel trapped or threatened.

Can weasels run fast?

Weasels can move quite quickly, reaching speeds of up to 15 mph (24 kph).

Do weasels have predators?

Yes, weasels have a variety of predators. Predators of weasels include the larger birds of prey, such as eagles, hawks, and owls. Foxes and snakes also enjoy a meal of weasel meat.

Are weasel skins used for anything?

Weasel skins/pelts are used. They do, however, need to be professionally treated/tanned. They are then used for making ornaments like dream catchers and also for decorating items like collars on coats and trimmings on bags.

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Link will appear as Weasel Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, November 20, 2018

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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