The Long-Tailed Weasel, scientifically known as Neogale frenata (formerly Mustela frenata), is a native resident of Alabama. This mammal is the largest weasel species found across the Americas, possessing a remarkably long and slender body structure. While present in the state, it is an animal that is rarely observed, making it one of the most elusive carnivores in the region.
Confirmed Range and Status in Alabama
The presence of the Long-Tailed Weasel within Alabama is confirmed, though its exact distribution and population density remain poorly understood. While believed to be found statewide, historical records and current sightings suggest it is uncommon and may be absent from the immediate coastal regions. The weasel is secretive, and surveys indicate it has never been a common sight in the state; historical observations dating back to 1921 noted its scarcity throughout the Southern States.
This lack of data has led to the Long-Tailed Weasel being classified as a species of High Conservation Concern in Alabama, and its harvest is currently prohibited. Its status is monitored by the Alabama Nongame Wildlife Program, which actively seeks public sightings to better understand its distribution. The animal is considered Alabama’s smallest carnivore, generally weighing less than 16 ounces, which contributes to its ability to remain hidden from human detection.
Distinguishing Physical Characteristics
The Long-Tailed Weasel has a noticeably long, cylindrical body and a small head set on a long neck, all supported by short legs. The weasel’s total body length ranges from approximately 11 to 22 inches, with males being significantly larger than females.
A defining feature is its tail, which is relatively long, often making up nearly half of the weasel’s total length. The tail is consistently tipped with a distinct patch of black fur, regardless of the season. Its summer coat is a rich reddish-brown on the back and sides, contrasting sharply with the pale yellowish-white fur covering its throat, chest, and belly. Unlike northern populations, the Long-Tailed Weasel in Alabama and other Deep South regions typically retains its brown coat year-round, without developing white winter camouflage.
Typical Habitat and Diet
The Long-Tailed Weasel is a habitat generalist, using a wide variety of environments provided there is adequate food. In Alabama, it can be found in diverse areas, including forest edges, brushy thickets, stream banks, fencerows, and open farmlands. It often establishes its dens in abandoned burrows of other small mammals, or beneath rock piles and tree stumps.
The weasel’s high metabolism necessitates a steady and substantial intake of food, often consuming up to 40 percent of its own body weight daily. Its long, slender body is perfectly suited for its primary hunting strategy, allowing it to easily pursue prey directly into their underground tunnels and burrows. The diet is strictly carnivorous and centers heavily on small rodents, such as mice, voles, and rats.
While small mammals form the bulk of its meals, the Long-Tailed Weasel is an opportunistic predator with a broad diet. It will also consume larger prey, including small rabbits, squirrels, birds, and bird eggs. The weasel is also known for its aggressive predatory behavior and ability to take down animals much larger than itself, killing its victims with a precise bite to the base of the skull. This predator sometimes engages in surplus killing when prey is abundant, storing extra food for later consumption.