Least Weasel Mustela nivalis

Identification
This tiny carnivore has a slender body and a short tail. Its coat may turn white in winter.

Location
Rare in Ohio

Size
1 to 2 ounces

Diet
It feeds mainly on rodents.

Habitat
It occurs in grasslands and fields in northern Ohio.

Activity Period
Year round

Behavior
It is active and fearless and hunts prey larger than itself. It is active year round.

Lifecycle
Breeding occurs in spring and summer.

Population
The population is small and localized.

History
It has always been rare in Ohio.

Human Interactions
It avoids humans and is seldom seen.

Facts
It is the smallest carnivorous mammal in the world.

Sources
ODNR NatureServe

Rodents small mammals insects | Fields grasslands meadows | Northern Ohio