Mountain weasel

Altai weasel (Mustela altaica)

The Altai weasel (Mustela altaica), also known by the name miss interpretive Alps Wiesel, is a living in Asia carnivore species of the marten family ( Mustelidae ).

Description

Altai weasel have the typical weasel physique with elongated, narrow-body and relatively short limbs. The fur color varies with the seasons, the change of coat is, however, less pronounced than in related species, such as the ermine. The summer coat is gray or gray-brown, the winter coat is bright, mostly dark yellow or light brown, the underside is almost white. These animals can reach a body length 22-28 inches, the tail is relatively short, as with all weasels and measures 9 to 14 inches. Males weigh around 220 to 350 grams and are therefore heavier than females reaching only 120 to 220 grams.

Distribution and habitat

Altai weasel are from southern Siberia and the Himalayan region spread to northern China and Korea. They inhabit mountainous areas up to 3500 meters altitude. Their habitat are steppes and wooded areas.

Way of life

Altai weasel are primarily crepuscular or nocturnal. During the day they retire to nests, which they build in crevices, in the roots of trees or in abandoned building other animals. Outside the breeding season they live solitary.

There are skillful hunters who mainly feed on voles and pikas. To a lesser extent they also take other mammals, birds, lizards and insects to him.

After a 40 - day gestation, the female gives birth to one in May, two to eight pups. They are weaned at two months and independently, but siblings often stay up into the autumn together.

Threat

Since Altai weasel consume harmful classified rodents, they are met usually with benevolence. The processing of the Altai weasel fur plays, as opposed to related species, only a minor role, so that the species is widespread and not one of the endangered species.