What kind of weasels live in Illinois?

Two species of weasel are found in Illinois—the least weasel (Mustela nivalis) and the long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata). A least weasel. Note the short tail. The long-tailed weasel is two to three times larger than the least weasel.

How can you tell a long-tailed weasel?

The long-tailed weasel has a small head with long whiskers, a long body and neck and short legs. Its tail has a black tip. It has brown fur on the upper part of its body and white to yellow fur on its undersides. In the northern parts of its range, it turns white in the winter.

Are there minks in Illinois?

The mink may be found statewide in Illinois, living in areas with permanent water. This mammal feeds on birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, fishes, muskrats, mice, cottontails, crayfish and voles.

Where are long-tailed weasels found?

Range and Habitat: The range is southern Canada, all of the U.S. except for parts of the Southwest, most of Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. The range, habitat preference, and relative abundance of the long-tailed weasel in the Adirondack Park are not well known.

Are there Wild weasels in Illinois?

The long-tailed weasel may be found statewide in Illinois. This carnivore lives in brushy areas, open woods, grasslands, roadsides and near farm buildings. The long-tailed weasel eats birds, lizards, small mammals and snakes.

What’s the difference between a weasel and a mink?

Minks are slender mammals with pointed noses, short legs and partially webbed feet. Weasels are also long and slender, with short legs and long snouts; but their feet are not webbed. Some weasels have long tails and others have short tails.

Do weasels live in Illinois?

Are long-tailed weasels destructive?

They generally hunt alone to also catch mice, voles, frogs, rabbits, and birds. Because they need to accumulate large amounts of fat to feed their extensive activity of energy, they are best known for raiding hen houses to total destruction, often killing everything in sight.

Does Illinois have weasels?

Do weasels eat chipmunks?

Diet: Long-Tailed Weasels eat mice, rats, voles, squirrels, chipmunks, shrews, moles, and rabbits. Sometimes they will eat birds, bird eggs, snakes, frogs, and insects. They use tunnels made by other animals to hunt for their food.