Yellow-bellied weasel

Yellow-bellied weasel
Systematics
Subordination : Canine (Caniformia) Superfamily : Marten relatives (Musteloidea) Family : Marten (Mustelidae) Subfamily : Mustelinae Genre : Mustela Type : Yellow-bellied weasel
Scientific name
Mustela kathiah
Hodgson , 1835

Pelts of the yellow-bellied weasel

The yellow-bellied weasel ( Mustela kathiah ) is a species of predator from the marten family (Mustelidae) living in Asia .

features

Yellow-bellied weasels differ from other weasels by their relatively long tail. Their fur is dark brown on the top and yellow on the underside. The lips and throat are whitish, another characteristic is the hairless soles of the hind legs. The animals reach a head body length of 25 to 27 centimeters and a tail length of 13 to 15 centimeters.

Distribution area and habitat

Distribution area of ​​the yellow-bellied weasel

Yellow-bellied weasels are native to Asia in mountainous regions from 1800 to 4000 meters above sea level. In the Nepalese Himalayas they can even be found at an altitude of 4,880 meters. Their distribution area extends from the Himalayan region to southern China and Southeast Asia .

Way of life

Like most weasels, yellow-bellied weasels are also likely to be active at twilight or at night and live solitary. Their burrows can be found under tree roots, between boulders, in tree hollows and in abandoned burrows of other animal species. Their diet consists mainly of small mammals such as mice , rats and voles , but they also eat birds .

Others

Yellow-bellied weasels are kept as pets in some regions , as they eat many rodents that are considered pests . The species is common and is not an endangered species.

literature

• Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World . Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9
• Tej Kumar Shrestha: Wildlife of Nepal - A Study of Renewable Resources of Nepal Himalayas. Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu 2003, ISBN 99933-59-02-5

Web links

Commons : Yellow-bellied Weasel ( Mustela kathiah )  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

• Mustela kathiah inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Endangered Species . Listed by: Duckworth, JW, Timmins, RJ, Roberton, S., Choudhury, A. & Lau, MWN, 2008. Retrieved January 22, 2014.

Single receipts

1. ↑ Shrestha, p. 127