MAMMALS OF UTAH 145 



of male : Total length, 15.75 ; tail vert. 5.9 ; hind foot, 1.65. 

 Female: Total length,, 14.0; tail vert. 5.1; hind foot, 1.6. 

 (Warren.) 



Distribution — Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains 

 into British Columbia, not north of Siskiyou Mountains in 

 the Cascade range. In Utah it may be found practically 

 throughout the state, usually in the mountains and foot- 

 hills. Clinton Milne of St. George says that in that vicinity 

 these weasels are found in creek beds and thick under-brush. 

 They are decreasing there. They are common in the La. Sal 

 National forest district, according to S. B. Locke. 



Habits — ^In addition to ground squirrels, this species 

 preys upon the snowshoe rabbit, especially in winter. 

 (Seton.) The species has a wide vertical range from 5,000 

 feet to timberline. It frequents the piles of large boulders 

 and debris in canyon bottoms and along mountain streams, 

 where it preys chiefly upon mice, chipmunks and spermo- 

 philes. When surprised in the open, it immediately seeks 

 refuge among the nearest rocks, but once in this safe re- 

 treat its curiosity overcomes its fear, and it is seldom out 

 of sight for more than a moment. Its frisks in and out 

 among the rocks, stopping now and then to crane its long 

 neck at the observer, and even stands erect on its hind 

 legs to get a better view of the object of its curiosity. 

 (Cary.) 



Revelling always in scenes of the most heinous butch- 

 ery, sinking his long, white teeth deep into the throat of 

 every victim his dauntless courage will permit him to tackle, 

 and passing like a flash in search of more blood, more devil- 

 ish killing, the mountainous weasel is truly the most mur- 

 derous animal for its size that roams the western wilds. 

 An eagle, a mink, a coyote, or wolf will usually cease its 

 killing when hunger has been appeased or at least gorman- 

 dize for days on the victims of a one-night slaughter; but 

 not so with the weasel; like the thugs of India, who mur- 

 dered every one they could as a religious practice, he glories 

 in his fiendish work of destruction. He is probably the 

 wickedest and most unlovable fur-bearer in America. 



Weasels growl, snarl, hiss, puff and make reiterated 

 sharp barks at times. They chatter when angry, coo or 

 chuckle to their young and bark at puzzling objects. 



The mating season is about the third week in March; 

 and though there is some evidence of pairing, the male 

 cares not a whiff for the young. He will fight like a demon, 

 however, if the female is disturbed when in his neighbor- 

 hood. 



