Weasel Mustela nivalis

Identification features

• Small mammal with a 'sausage-shaped' body with short legs
• Brown/ginger coloured fur on the body with a white/cream coloured underside
• The demarcation between the brown/ginger and the white/cream is a wavy line
• The tail is brown/ginger with no black tip

Weasels are carnivores and can take prey much larger than themselves, such as rabbits. They can be found in almost any habitat where there is sufficient food.

Other identification features

Droppings

Like those of most other carnivores, weasel droppings are narrow with twisty ends. They smell musty and are blackish-brown. They are shorter and thinner (30-60mm long 2mm thick) than stoat droppings.

Skull

Distribution in Derbyshire information

Photo: Brian Corless