Colombian weasel
The Colombian weasel (Mustela felipei ) is a predatory species of the marten family. The species is distributed only in a small area in the west of Colombia and northern Ecuador, since the first description the species was seen only a few times and scientifically documented.
Features
The Colombian weasel reaches a snout-vent length from 21.7 to 22.5 inches and a tail length of 11.1 to 12.2 inches. The body is long and slender with short legs. The fur is long and soft and colored consistently dark brown on the dorsal side. The belly is pale orange, the tail is uniformly brown. The toes are hand hairless and have webbed feet on.
Distribution and habitat
The Colombian weasel is only in a small area spread of Colombia and the Andes in northern Ecuador in the Cordilleras in the West.
As a habitat, the animals use the humid and tropical cloud forests along the river systems in 1750 to 2700 meters above sea level.
Way of life
Over the life of the Colombian weasel has no information. In his diet, it probably resembles other weasel species. Because of webbed toes is starting from a semiaquatic way of life of the animals.
System
The Colombian weasel is assigned as a distinct species of the genus Mustela within the marten, which is on the current status of 17 species. Together with the tropical weasel (M. africana ) is the way the sub-genus of South American weasel, which is partly regarded as a separate genus Grammogale.
Threat and protection
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources ( IUCN) classified the species due to the very small distribution area as endangered ( Vulnerable ). Although present on this type is very little information, it is assumed that a decline due to the logging of the forests of Colombia and Ecuador.
The main threat of this kind lies mainly in habitat loss due to the massive logging and conversion of forests into agricultural land in the area of distribution of the type