Common Weasel — Winter Coloration 



color and is tipped with black. However, there is only 

 a very small tuft of blackish hairs on the extreme end 

 of the tail. In winter the animal is entirely white, the 

 transition from the summer to the winter coat being 

 more rapid than the change that takes place in the 

 spring. The least weasels are distinctly circumpolar 

 in their distribution but are found in the northern hills 

 of this State and have also been taken in the south- 

 western counties. The home is in an underground bur- 

 row and several litters of from five to six young are 

 born during the year. The animal does not hibernate, 

 but burrows in the snow, climbs trees, and ventures into 

 the burrows of other animals, on its winter foraging 

 expeditions. The anatomical features are similar to 

 those of other weasels which have been previously dis- 

 cussed. 



It is interesting to note that, in the far north, in- 

 stead of having two or more litters during the year, 

 the least weasel has only one litter of from ten to 

 twelve young annually. 



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