Long-tailed Weasel

One of our seasonal forestry stewards was lucky enough to get a glimpse of a long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata) in the forest!

Secretive but common, long-tailed weasels are the largest of the three weasel species that call Pennsylvania home. They occupy a wide variety of habitats, including woodlands, wetlands, and even urban areas. Weasels may be cute, but they are fearsome predators that can take down prey as large as a rabbit with a swift killing bite to the base of the skull. These generalist carnivores prey on mainly small mammals, but will also eat insects, birds, eggs, reptiles, amphibians, and even carrion. In summer, long-tailed weasels are completely brown with a black-tipped tail. Northernmost populations may turn white in winter, but it is uncommon in Pennsylvania.

Photo by John Iwasz.