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Surprise! (24)
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![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (30243) | Thanks Jean Marie for ID correction!
Forgive me quality of this picture, but it was total surprise for me. I went to Botanic Garden this morning to photograph some new blooming flowers. I was in meadow area with few bushes and small trees. During flora photography I spotted some kind of movement in BG :-) I thought it was blackbird or starling, but surprisingly no - it was small mammal. After few moments I spotted another small mammal looking like fat and dark mouse looking for food between grasses. Moment later mouse ended its life in small jaws of first mammal which is Weasel.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Weasels are mammals in the genus Mustela of the Mustelidae family.
Originally, the name "weasel" was applied to one species of the genus, the European form of the Least Weasel (Mustela nivalis). Early literary references to weasels, for example their common appearances in fables, refer to this species rather than to the genus as a whole, reflecting what is still the common usage in the United Kingdom. In technical discourse, however, as in American usage, the term "weasel" can refer to any member of the genus, or to the genus as a whole. Of the 16 extant species currently classified in the genus Mustela, ten have "weasel" in their common name. Among those that do not are the stoat or ermine, the two species of mink, and the polecats or ferrets.
Weasels vary in length from fifteen to one hundred and thirty-five centimeters (six to fifty-two inches), and usually have a light brown or purple upper coat, white or orange belly and black or green fur at the tip of the tail; in many species, populations living at high latitudes moult to a white coat with black fur at the tip of the tail in winter. They have long slender bodies, which enable them to follow their prey into burrows. Their tails are typically almost as long as the rest of their bodies. As is typical of small carnivores, weasels have a reputation for cleverness and guile. They also have tails that can be anywhere from 22-33 cm long and they use these to defend the food they get and to claim territory from other weasels. The average weasel weighs about 198 grams (7 ounces).
Weasels feed on small mammals, and in former times were considered vermin since some species took poultry from farms, or rabbits from commercial warrens. Certain species of weasel and ferrets have been reported to perform the mesmerizing weasel war dance, after fighting other creatures, or acquiring food from competing creatures. In folklore at least, this dance is particularly associated with the stoat.
Collective nouns for a group of weasels include boogle, gang, pack, and confusion.
Weasels occur all across the world except for Antarctica, Australia and neighbouring islands. |
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