Long-Tailed Weasel

Range: Found throughout North America and into parts of South America.
Habitat: They live in a variety of habitats.
Diet: Weasels are the smallest members of the carnivores and their diet consists completely of meat.  Diet consists mainly of rodents, rabbits and birds.

Long-tailed weasels are fearless hunters, going after prey much larger than themselves! They have well-developed senses of sight, hearing and smell, which makes them efficient predators. Weasels help control rodent populations and thrive in a variety of habitats.


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Slinky

Slinky arrived at Turtle Bay on 9/26/2017 from the Monterey SPCA. It is unknown how he got there or how old he is.


Fun Facts

  • Weasels are the smallest members of the Carnivores.

  • Although small, they do not hibernate or torpor and are active all winter.

  • With very fast metabolisms, they can eat up to 40% of their body weight each day.

  • They hunt using a technique called the Weasel War Dance.  This is a series of frenetic, manic twists, turns and jumps that confuse the prey and allow them to get close enough to go in for the kill.

  • They can take down rabbits on their own.

  • Individuals living in the Northern most portions of their range turn completely white in the winter while the rest stay brown year round.

  • They are excellent, climbers, jumpers and swimmers.