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Alternate uses: Weasel (disambiguation)

Template:Taxobox begin Template:Taxobox image Template:Taxobox begin placement Template:Taxobox regnum entry Template:Taxobox phylum entry Template:Taxobox classis entry Template:Taxobox ordo entry Template:Taxobox familia entry Template:Taxobox genus entry
Linnaeus, 1758 Template:Taxobox end placement Template:Taxobox section subdivision Mustela africana
Mustela altaica
Mustela erminea
Mustela eversmannii
Mustela felipei
Mustela frenata
Mustela kathiah
Mustela lutreola
Mustela lutreolina
Mustela nigripes
Mustela nivalis
Mustela nudipes
Mustela putorius
Mustela sibirica
Mustela strigidorsa
Mustela vison Template:Taxobox end

Weasels are mammals in the genus Mustela of the Mustelidae family. Originally, the name "weasel" was applied to one species of the genus, the European form of the Least Weasel (Mustela nivalis). Literary references to weasels usually refer to this species rather than to the genus as a whole.

Weasels vary in length from 15 to 35 centimeters, and usually have a light brown upper coat and a white belly; in many species, populations living at high latitudes moult to a pure white coat in winter. They have long slender bodies, which enable them to follow their prey into burrows. Their tails are typically almost as long as the rest of their bodies. Weasels are intelligent creatures that are known for their cleverness and guile. For this reason, weasels commonly appear in fables.

Most weasels feed on small mammals, and in former times were considered vermin since some species took poultry from farms, or rabbits from commercial warrens.

Of the 16 species classified in the genus Mustela, only 10 have "weasel" in their common name. Among those that do not are the Stoat, the two species of Mink, and the polecats or ferrets.

In mythology, it is sometimes said that the only thing which can kill a basilisk is a weasel, though it would be killed in the conflict as well. The earliest record of this claim is in Pliny's Naturalis Historia, book 8, par. 33. [1] It was repeated by Isidore of Seville in his Etymologiae, and subsequently by many medieval bestiarists.

Weasels have been associated with their devious natures in fictitious works. In the Dilbert cartoons, some of the most devious characters are weasels or have weasel-like features. In Brian Jacques' Redwall series, weasels are one of the many villians, including rats and ferrets.

Species of weasel

Smithy

Tropical Weasel, Mustela africana
Mountain Weasel, Mustela altaica
Stoat Mustela erminea
Steppe Polecat, Mustela eversmannii
Colombian Weasel, Mustela felipei
Long-tailed Weasel, Mustela frenata
Yellow-bellied Weasel, Mustela kathiah
European Mink, Mustela lutreola
Indonesian Mountain Weasel, Mustela lutreolina
Sea Mink, Mustela macrodon (extinct)
Black-footed Ferret, Mustela nigripes
Least Weasel, Mustela nivalis
Malayan Weasel, Mustela nudipes
European Polecat, Mustela putorius
Siberian Weasel, Mustela sibirica
Black-striped Weasel, Mustela strigidorsa
American Mink, Mustela vison

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 In [[mythology]], it is sometimes said that the only thing which can kill a [[basilisk]] is a weasel, though it would be killed in the conflict as well.  The earliest record of this claim is in [[Pliny the Elder|Pliny]]'s ''[[Naturalis Historia]]'', book 8, par. 33.  [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Plin.+Nat.+8.33]  It was repeated by [[Isidore of Seville]] in his ''[[Etymologiae]]'', and subsequently by many medieval [[bestiary|bestiarists]].
-Weasels have been associated with their devious natures in fictitious works. In the ''[[Dilbert]]'' cartoons, some of the most devious characters are weasels or have weasel-like features. In Brian Jacques' ''[[Redwall]]'' series, weasels are on of the many villians, including rats and ferrets.
+Weasels have been associated with their devious natures in fictitious works. In the ''[[Dilbert]]'' cartoons, some of the most devious characters are weasels or have weasel-like features. In Brian Jacques' ''[[Redwall]]'' series, weasels are one of the many villians, including rats and ferrets.
 ==Species of weasel==