The Fur Animals of Louisiana 117 



Male Female 



Total length 15 inches 14 V 2 inches 



Tail 4V-Z inches 4V2 inches 



Hind foot 1% inches 1% inches 



The first weasels noted were a mother and three young 

 that had been trapped alive at Kentwood, Tangipahoa par- 

 ish, in 1918. The family remained on exhibition in the 

 Audubon Park Zoo for several years. Specimens of weasels 

 have been identified from Greensburg, St. Helena parish; 

 Braithwaite, Plaquemines parish; Geismar, Assumption 

 parish; Laurel Hill, West Feliciana parish; from French 

 Settlement and several other points in Livingston parish, 

 but the greatest number secured have come from St. James 

 parish in the vicinity of Remy and Convent. These all pre- 

 sented the same uniform size and coloration and informa- 

 tion from Remy was to the effect that school children were 

 in the habit of trapping a number of them along the sides 

 of ditches and other waterways. 



During the month of December a very large pelt of a 

 weasel was found in a collection of skins being sold in 

 Morgan City and inquiry developed the information that 

 it had been trapped in the neighborhood of the southern 

 end of Lake Verret, Assumption parish. According to skin 

 measurements, this was a very large animal and quite light 

 in its reddish-brown color, but retaining the dark dorsal 

 stripe and black tail-tip. 



It is quite possible that the Louisiana weasel has a 

 larger distibution than my meager findings have shown 

 and may be more plentiful than researches to date disclose, 

 and assistance from trappers and others interested will be 

 appreciated in the way of specimens, pelts and skulls and 

 skeletons. Those who would cooperate in this biological in- 

 vestigation are asked to communicate with the department. 



A weasel answers the following description : A small 

 and very slender and long-bodied mink-like animal, 13 to 15 

 inches in length, with very short legs ; the tail is covered 

 with brown hairs and always has a black tip. The general 

 coloration is dull reddish-brown on the upper parts of the 

 body, while the under parts are white with a sulphur-like 



