The single species of true weasel documented within the state is the Long-Tailed Weasel, scientifically known as Neogale frenata. This animal is a member of the Mustelidae family, a group of carnivorous mammals characterized by their long bodies and short legs. Sightings are quite unusual because this species maintains a low population density and a secretive nature.
Confirmed Weasel Species in South Carolina
South Carolina is home to the Long-Tailed Weasel, which is the smallest member of the Mustelidae family found in the state. This species is distributed across the entire contiguous United States, with populations present but not abundant throughout South Carolina. The animal’s classification has recently been updated, moving it from the genus Mustela to Neogale.
Other members of the Mustelid family also reside in South Carolina. The American Mink (Neogale vison) and the North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) are both Mustelids, but they are distinctly different from the Long-Tailed Weasel. The river otter is the largest member of the family in the state, while the mink is substantially larger than the weasel, often weighing between one and a half to three and a half pounds. The Long-Tailed Weasel, by contrast, typically weighs only a few ounces, with males weighing between eight and twelve ounces.
Distinguishing Weasels From Other Small Mammals
The most noticeable feature of the Long-Tailed Weasel is its body shape, which is exceptionally long, slender, and flexible, allowing it to navigate small burrows with ease. This body is carried low to the ground by very short, stout legs, with the weasel standing only two to three inches high at the shoulder.
Its tail is a defining feature, being notably long and accounting for a significant portion of its total length, often nearly half the length of its head and body combined. The coat color is typically a rich brown on the back and sides, contrasting with a yellowish or white color on the underside. Unlike its northern counterparts, the Long-Tailed Weasel in South Carolina does not develop a white winter coat for camouflage, maintaining its brownish pelage year-round.
Ecology and Distribution Across the State
The Long-Tailed Weasel occupies a wide range of habitats within South Carolina, including upland forests, bottomland swamps, and brushy fields. They benefit from the “edge effect,” frequently inhabiting the borders between wooded areas and open fields or along fence rows. These areas provide both cover and access to prey, which is the primary driver of their distribution.
As a hyper-aggressive predator for its size, the weasel’s diet consists mainly of small mammals, such as mice, rats, moles, and cottontail rabbits, sometimes attacking prey two or three times its own body weight. Weasels are generally solitary and exhibit behavior that is often described as secretive, which contributes to their infrequent observation. Although scattered populations exist statewide, they are more often found in the Piedmont region compared to the Coastal Plains.