Long-tailed Weasel: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Otters and Weasels · day 4 of 7

Five facts

1. By day its eyes look black. Catch them in a torch beam at night, though, and they shine a bright emerald green.
2. Its black tail tip is a decoy. It catches a predator's eye, so the attacker goes for the tail and the weasel gets away.
3. In danger, it may run up a tree and sit perfectly still and silent, staring at the threat until it goes away.
4. A newborn weighs just 3 grams, about as much as a hummingbird. Three weeks later it is furry and already crawling out of the nest.
5. On the hunt, it swings its head from side to side to pick up the smell of its prey.

The quiz

1. What colour do its eyes glow in a light at night?

• Red
• Blue
• Emerald green (correct)
• White

Its black-looking eyes shine bright emerald green in a spotlight.

2. How does the black tail tip help the weasel?

• Predators attack the tail and it escapes (correct)
• It keeps the weasel warm
• It helps the weasel swim
• It glows to guide the kits

The tail tip draws the attack away from the body.

3. What does the weasel do after escaping up a tree?

• Screams loudly for help
• Builds a nest of leaves
• Jumps from tree to tree
• Sits still and silent, watching (correct)

It stays motionless and quiet until the predator leaves.

4. A newborn long-tailed weasel weighs about as much as what?

• A rabbit
• A hummingbird (correct)
• An apple
• A squirrel

Kits weigh 3 grams at birth, about the weight of a hummingbird.

5. What does it do with its head while stalking?

• Keeps it perfectly still
• Tucks it under its body
• Swings it from side to side (correct)
• Holds it high to look far

Moving its head side to side helps it catch the scent of prey.

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