Indiana may be home to bobcats, bald eagles, and even badgers, but one of the state’s most fascinating predators is also one of its smallest. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is asking the public to help report sightings of the least weasel, a tiny but powerful carnivore that quietly calls the Hoosier State home.
Why The Least Weasel Matters In Indiana
According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the least weasel is the smallest member of the Order Carnivora in the world. Fully grown, it weighs about the same as a mouse, but do not let its size fool you. Least weasels are efficient hunters and play an important role in controlling rodent populations.
Their diet includes mice, voles, squirrels, frogs, and other small animals. Because of their size and speed, they are incredibly effective predators, often able to pursue prey into tight spaces that larger animals cannot reach.
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How To Tell A Least Weasel From Other Weasels
Least weasels are often confused with their larger cousin, the long-tailed weasel, but there is one key difference that can help with identification. Long-tailed weasels have a black tip at the end of their tail. Least weasels do not. That detail can be especially helpful if you catch a quick glimpse before one darts back into cover.
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