A full ^t^rown weasel is about sixteen inches long. 

 The tail is about one-third the body length and the 

 hind foot measures two inches. The female is consider- 

 ably smaller than the male, attaining a length of only 

 twelve or thirteen inches. They are of the same colora- 

 tion, however. The fur of the weasel is very valuable, 

 especially when it is in the winter phase. The pure 

 white fur is sold as Ermine. 



The weasel emits a disagreeable odor when at- 

 tacked, but it is less offensive and much less efficacious 

 as a defense than that of the skunk. 



The Least Weasel: Allegheny Weasel 



Mustela altegheniensis 



Although reputed to be quite scarce in Pennsyl- 

 vania, the least weasel is probably much more com- 

 mon than is supposed. Its size and clever avoidance of 

 traps, combined with its shy disposition and nocturnal 

 habits, probably account for the fact that it does not 

 figure largely among our native mammals. 



Although the least weasel attains a length of 

 seven inches, its body is extremely slender and its bur- 

 row can be plugged with the index finger of an adult. 

 Frequently, the mice it kills have bodies so much 

 thicker than its own that it cannot drag them into its 

 burrow. 



The habits of the least weasel are similar to those 

 of other species. It feeds on mice, rabbits and birds. 

 In the summer the upper parts of the animal, including 

 the upper jaw, are dark yellowish-brown in color. The 

 chin is white, while the under side, fore legs and under 

 side of tail, are a deep ochraceous yellow. The termi- 

 nal half of the tail on the upper side is of the body 



-:>i 95 ><*- 



