White-necked weasel
White-necked weasel | ||||||||||||
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White- naped weasel ( Poecilogale albinucha ) |
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Systematics | ||||||||||||
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Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
Poecilogals | ||||||||||||
Thomas , 1883 | ||||||||||||
Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
Poecilogale albinucha | ||||||||||||
( Gray , 1864) |
The white- naped weasel ( Poecilogale albinucha ) is a species of predator from the marten family (Mustelidae) living in Africa .
features
White-necked weasels have an extremely elongated body with very short limbs. Their fur is predominantly black, the head and the top of the neck are white, four white longitudinal stripes run along the back to the tail, which is also white. These animals reach a head body length of 25 to 36 centimeters, a tail length of 13 to 23 centimeters and a weight of 230 to 380 grams, with males being significantly heavier than females.
distribution and habitat
White-naped weasels are native to eastern and southern Africa , and their range extends from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda to South Africa . They inhabit a range of habitats including forest edge areas, grasslands, and marshland.
Way of life
Weißnackenwiesel are nocturnal, during the day they hide under the ground in burrows that they have dug themselves or taken over from other animals. When hunting, they usually stay on the ground, they rarely climb. Usually they live solitary, sometimes they can be seen in family groups. In case of threat, they can create a penetrating smell with their anal glands , but this is not as effective as with the closely related zorillas .
nutrition
These animals are carnivores. Their slim shape helps them to get into the tightest burrows to get their prey. Rodents such as mice and sand graves are on their menu , but also birds and insects . They are also skilled snake hunters who use a tactic similar to mongoose : they avoid the snakes that strike until they are tired and easier to catch.
Prey animals are killed with a neck bite. However, they do not eat their prey immediately, but drag it into their den. Sometimes they store supplies there too.
Reproduction
After a gestation period of around 31 to 33 days, the female gives birth to one to three young between September and April. They are initially blind and helpless, after 35 days they eat solid food for the first time, after 50 days their eyes open and after around 80 days they are finally weaned.
Weißnackenwiesel and people
These animals are popular as eaters of rodents classified as pests. Their fur is used by some African tribes for ceremonial purposes, with the Zulu some parts of the body are said to have healing powers. The main threat is the loss of habitat through conversion into agricultural land, but overall they are not yet threatened. The IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, lists them in its Red List of Endangered Species as not endangered (“Least Concern”).
literature
- Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World . Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999 ISBN 0-8018-5789-9
Web links
- Poecilogale albinucha in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2015 Posted by: Stuart, C. Stuart, M. & Do Linh San, E., 2008. Accessed on December 8 of 2010.