The Long-tailed Weasel, a small yet agile carnivore, is the only weasel species found in Alabama. While present, they are elusive, and their population and distribution across the state are not well understood.
The Long-tailed Weasel’s Presence
The Long-tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata) is the sole weasel species inhabiting Alabama. This animal has a wide distribution across North and Central America, but its exact status within Alabama is poorly known and of high conservation concern. It is recognized as Alabama’s smallest carnivore.
While believed to be present throughout most of the state, it is generally absent from coastal regions. Sightings are uncommon, and historical records indicate these weasels have never been particularly abundant. The Alabama Division of Wildlife actively seeks public sightings to gather more information on their current distribution and population trends.
Key Identification Features
Long-tailed Weasels possess a long, slender, cylindrical body with short legs and a flattened, triangular head. They are roughly the size of a gray squirrel, typically weighing less than 16 ounces. Males are generally larger than females, with total body lengths ranging from approximately 13.7 to 18.2 inches (347-463 mm) for males and 13 to 15.3 inches (329-390 mm) for females.
Their fur is reddish-brown on the upper body, contrasting with a creamy or yellowish-white throat, chin, and belly. A defining feature is their long tail, which accounts for about half of their total body length and always ends with a distinct black tip. Unlike some northern populations, Long-tailed Weasels in Alabama typically retain their brown fur year-round and do not turn white in winter. This two-tone coloration and black-tipped tail distinguish them from mink, which are larger, uniformly dark brown, and lack the prominent black tail tip.
Habitats and Behavior
Long-tailed Weasels are adaptable, utilizing a variety of habitats across Alabama. They are often found in forest edges, along fencerows, near stream banks, in brush lands, and within open areas or farmlands. For shelter, they commonly use existing burrows of other animals, rock crevices, stumps, or hollow logs, sometimes lining their nests with fur from their prey. They tend to avoid heavily fragmented landscapes like extensive agricultural fields and dense, unbroken forests.
These weasels are carnivores with a high metabolism, requiring them to consume a significant portion of their body weight daily. Their diet primarily consists of small rodents such as mice, rats, and shrews, but they are opportunistic hunters and will also prey on chipmunks, squirrels, birds, eggs, reptiles, and amphibians. Long-tailed Weasels are agile, skilled climbers, and proficient swimmers. While active both day and night, they are largely solitary, coming together mainly for breeding.