HOME | DD

Description
Just something to celebrate the day (no, not the one with that cruel joke of a song by Weird Al Yankovic) when we celebrate and recognize the very famous (and/or infamous) mustelid we all know, they very members that some of the smallest carnivores, but are very tough enough to take on prey bigger than themselves. Whenever the word, weasel, is brought up (especially in the UK), it's usually the least weasel (the smallest weasel, mustelid, and carnivore in the world) they're talking about. However, there are more species of weasels (a total of thirteen kinds). They're all belong to the genus, Mustela (which also includes the European mink, the European polecat (and ferret), the Steppe Polecat, and the Black-Footed Ferret). There is a misconception that weasels are rodents, but, in reality, weasels are NOT rodents! Just because they're small and around the size of the prey they hunt doesn't make them rodents. They're actually members of the Mustelid family, which consists of otters, badgers, martens, ferrets, and the wolverine. Mustelids belong to the order, Carnivoria (which consists of cats, dogs, bears, hyenas, mongooses, raccoons, and even pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and walruses)). Weasels can vary in length from 173 to 217 mm (6.8 to 8.5 in), with males being bigger than females, and their tails may be from 34 to 52 mm (1.3 to 2.0 in) long. some populations of some species (like the least weasel, the stoat (short-tailed weasel), and the long-tailed weasel) moult to a wholly white coat in winter (great for camouflage in the snow). Their long, slender bodies enable them to follow their prey into burrows (especially those of rabbits or ground squirrels). Being the small, active predators they are, weasels prey on small mammals (including mice, rats, rabbits, squirrels, and voles), birds, small reptiles, eggs, and insects. One interesting fact is that some species (like the stoat) preforms a 'weasel war dance,' which involves it twisting, hopping, and darting around in order to distract, confuse, or even hypnotize their prey. Gram for gram, weasels might actually be stronger than even lions! Weasels have been considered vermin for some species talking poultry from farms and rabbits from commercial warrens. They've even been given quite bad reputation (and even depicted as villains in some media and/or books), with even their name being used to insult or describe someone as a conniving and dishonest person. But on the other hand, weasels tend to do good for their ecosystems and even for us since they eat a large number of rodents (mice and rats). Plus, the reason why you'd see some species kill more they can eat in one sitting is because of their high metabolisms (don't worry, they save their leftovers for later). Weasels are even brave enough to take on animals larger than themselves. Also, according to some Native American folklore, weasels are known to kill monsters like the cannibalistic wendigo and the bizzare but deadly basilisk (thus, making them heroes). You can even find them anywhere in the world, except for Antarctica, Australia, and some neighboring islands. Besides, you just can't resist their cute (even if murderous) faces! Whatever you think of them, weasels are just animals trying to survive (and they can be very good at it, if not caught by a predator or done in by starvation), so why not just show some appreciation and respect for them for the cute but badass critters they are? Anyway, Happy Weasel Day (especially from this weaselly bunch)!

Fun Fact: Interestingly, the fur of the least weasel might glow purple, or fluoresce under ultra-violet light, producing a vivid lavender color, in the dark.

Description
Just something to celebrate the day (no, not the one with that cruel joke of a song by Weird Al Yankovic) when we celebrate and recognize the very famous (and/or infamous) mustelid we all know, they very members that some of the smallest carnivores, but are very tough enough to take on prey bigger than themselves. Whenever the word, weasel, is brought up (especially in the UK), it's usually the least weasel (the smallest weasel, mustelid, and carnivore in the world) they're talking about. However, there are more species of weasels (a total of thirteen kinds). They're all belong to the genus, Mustela (which also includes the European mink, the European polecat (and ferret), the Steppe Polecat, and the Black-Footed Ferret). There is a misconception that weasels are rodents, but, in reality, weasels are NOT rodents! Just because they're small and around the size of the prey they hunt doesn't make them rodents. They're actually members of the Mustelid family, which consists of otters, badgers, martens, ferrets, and the wolverine. Mustelids belong to the order, Carnivoria (which consists of cats, dogs, bears, hyenas, mongooses, raccoons, and even pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and walruses)). Weasels can vary in length from 173 to 217 mm (6.8 to 8.5 in), with males being bigger than females, and their tails may be from 34 to 52 mm (1.3 to 2.0 in) long. some populations of some species (like the least weasel, the stoat (short-tailed weasel), and the long-tailed weasel) moult to a wholly white coat in winter (great for camouflage in the snow). Their long, slender bodies enable them to follow their prey into burrows (especially those of rabbits or ground squirrels). Being the small, active predators they are, weasels prey on small mammals (including mice, rats, rabbits, squirrels, and voles), birds, small reptiles, eggs, and insects. One interesting fact is that some species (like the stoat) preforms a 'weasel war dance,' which involves it twisting, hopping, and darting around in order to distract, confuse, or even hypnotize their prey. Gram for gram, weasels might actually be stronger than even lions! Weasels have been considered vermin for some species talking poultry from farms and rabbits from commercial warrens. They've even been given quite bad reputation (and even depicted as villains in some media and/or books), with even their name being used to insult or describe someone as a conniving and dishonest person. But on the other hand, weasels tend to do good for their ecosystems and even for us since they eat a large number of rodents (mice and rats). Plus, the reason why you'd see some species kill more they can eat in one sitting is because of their high metabolisms (don't worry, they save their leftovers for later). Weasels are even brave enough to take on animals larger than themselves. Also, according to some Native American folklore, weasels are known to kill monsters like the cannibalistic wendigo and the bizzare but deadly basilisk (thus, making them heroes). You can even find them anywhere in the world, except for Antarctica, Australia, and some neighboring islands. Besides, you just can't resist their cute (even if murderous) faces! Whatever you think of them, weasels are just animals trying to survive (and they can be very good at it, if not caught by a predator or done in by starvation), so why not just show some appreciation and respect for them for the cute but badass critters they are? Anyway, Happy Weasel Day (especially from this weaselly bunch)!

Fun Fact: Interestingly, the fur of the least weasel might glow purple, or fluoresce under ultra-violet light, producing a vivid lavender color, in the dark.