Patagonian weasel

Patagonian Weasel ( Lyncodon patagonicus)

The Patagonian weasel or Zwerggrison ( Lyncodon patagonicus) is a living in South America carnivore species out of the marten family ( Mustelidae ).

Features

Patagonian weasel resemble the Grisons, but are smaller and have a different tooth formula. Their fur is greyish at the top; throat, belly and legs are dark brown or black. From the head to the shoulders, a white or yellowish stripes draws. Your body is elongated, legs and tail are relatively short. These animals can reach a body length of 30 to 35 centimeters, a tail length of 6-9 inches, and an average weight of 225 grams.

Distribution and habitat

As the name suggests, Patagonian weasel in Patagonia are native to southern and western Argentina and southern Chile. Their habitat is the grasslands of the pampas.

Way of life

Little is known about the habits of these animals, presumably they are crepuscular or nocturnal. From the teeth, it is concluded that they are predators to a greater extent than other members of the Must Elinae, their food should consist primarily of small rodents such as rats and comb dwarf guinea pigs, in their burrows they also penetrate frequently.

Patagonian weasels and human

Patagonian weasels are sometimes kept on farms to catch rats.

Endangering

About the level of danger there is little information; in Chile they are considered rare. The IUCN did not count in 1996 but an endangered species. Today, she is seen in the Red List of Threatened Species IUCN as a species for which due to insufficient data ( "Data Deficient " ) there can be no risk assessment.