What Do Weasels Eat?

Egyptian weasel is omnivorous, whose diet constitutes of vegetables, fruits, small mammals like rats, voles, rabbits, and mice, ducklings, chicks, and insects.

• The Egyptian weasel is a small mammal whose distribution is limited to the Nile Delta and the lower Nile Valley in Egypt.
• This weasel was previously considered to be a subspecies of the least weasel until much recently when it was considered as an independent species thanks to its morphology.
• The Egyptian weasel inhabits terrestrial lands, artificial aquatic regions, and marine waters. This species can also be found next to human habitations.

Amazon weasel is adapted to consuming a carnivorous diet. The Amazon weasel mainly feeds on terrestrial vertebrates such as rabbits, voles, mice, and squirrels.

• The Amazon weasel is also referred to as the tropical weasel, and it is native to the Amazon basin.
• This species is the second largest of the weasel species found in South America.
• This species is adapted to lead a semi-aquatic life evidenced by its naked feet soles.
• As such, this species will be found inhabiting areas next to water sources. This species will also be found in humid forests.

Least weasels mainly feed on voles and mice. They also eat birds, insects, and carrion.

• The least weasels are the smallest of all members of the weasel family.
• The least weasel’s fur will tend to fluoresce under UV light.
• This type of weasel favors habitats that include moors, marshes, grassland, woodland, mountains, dunes, and urban areas.
• They mostly inhabit areas with good cover and an abundant supply of prey.

Long-tailed weasel mostly consumes small mammals, which may include gophers, voles, rabbits, and chipmunks. They may also eat insects and an array of small bird species.

• The long-tailed weasel is notable because of its long-tail, which has a black tip.
• This species is found in a wide range of habitats, which include open areas, woodland, farmland, and thickets.
• They have a preference for areas next to a source of water.

For weasels, hunting is a dynamic activity.

• These organisms hunt in packs, a scenario that increases their odds of catching prey.
• Their physique comes in handy for weasels when they hunt.
• Their long bodies allow them to pursue and capture prey located in burrows, crevices, and holes.
• Weasels can also hunt their prey by jumping in the air. They do this to capture birds.
• After capturing their prey, a weasel would then proceed to use its muscular body to immobilize it before giving it a single bite behind the head to kill it.

Weasels are mostly nocturnal creatures, and will thus tend to be active at night and rest during the day. As such, weasels will likely be found foraging for food and eating during nightfall.

Weasels eat very often thanks to their small stature and active lifestyles. These organisms eat about 40% to 60% of their body weight, every given day.

Weasels are predated upon by organisms such as birds of prey such as hawks and owls, foxes, and domesticated cats and dogs (especially for those weasels found living next to human settlements). Snakes and coyotes also predate on weasels.

Weasels are essential to the animal food chain as prey and predators.

• They provide a good source of nutrition to organisms that rely on them as food.
• These small mammals also prey on organisms like voles, ground squirrels, terrestrial insects, mice, frogs, small birds, bird eggs, and rabbits, and thus help regulate their local population within their ecosystem.