Yellow-bellied weasel
The yellow-bellied weasel (Mustela kathiah) is a type of weasel. It lives in pine forests in central and eastern Asia.
| Yellow-bellied weasel | |
|---|---|
| |
| At Shillong, Meghalaya, India | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Mustelidae |
| Genus: | Mustela |
| Species: | M. kathiah
|
| Binomial name | |
| Mustela kathiah Hodgson, 1835
| |
| |
| Yellow-bellied weasel range | |
Description
This type of weasel is named for its yellow-colored underbelly; the upperside of the body and the tail are of a dark brown. Yellow-bellied weasels can grow up to 9.8–10.6 inches (25–27 cm) long. The tail is 4.9–5.9 inches (12–15 cm) long. It weighs about 3.3 pounds (1.5 kg).[2]
Distribution and Habitat
It lives in Bhutan, Burma, China, India, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam. It lives in forests between 1,000 m and 2,000 m in elevation. In winter, it may come down lower than 1,000 m.[2]
Feeding
Yellow-bellied weasels mostly eat rodents such as mice, rats, and voles. They will also eat birds and small mammals.[3]
Reproduction
Yellow-bellied weasels first build a den in the ground. They breed every year. Mating happens in late spring or early summer. Females are pregnant for about ten months. The female gives birth to 3-18 kits in April or May. By the time the kits are eight weeks old, they are ready to go out and hunt by themselves.[3]
Economic importance
Yellow-bellied weasels are easily trained. It can be used to control rodents in buildings.[3]
References
- ↑ Duckworth, J.W.; Timmins, R.J.; Roberton, S.; Choudhury, A. & Lau, M.W.N. (2008). "Mustela kathiah". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2008. Retrieved 21 March 2009. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Mustela kathiah, Yellow-bellied weasel". Thai National Parks. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 B, Kerstin; ner. "Mustela kathiah (yellow-bellied weasel)". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 2020-09-03.