The smallest of carnivores, Least Weasel will fearlessly attack and kill animals much larger than Herself. (Least Weasel is 20 centimeters (about 11 inches) long.) Not much bigger than her prey, She climbs into small underground tunnels in search of Mice and Voles.
Because of her high metabolism, She needs a lot of food to keep warm. Least Weasel eats about a quarter of her body weight every day. Not hibernating in the winter, Least Weasel hunts and drags her prey back to cache and to pluck the fur to insulate her burrow. Preferring farms and woods, Least Weasel has her own small territory where She rarely sees another Weasel.
According to European folklore, killing Least Weasel or disturbing her nest is bad luck. She will follow the person around for the rest of their lives. British traditions say that if Least Weasel crosses your path when you set out on a journey, you will have bad luck. Meanwhile in Wales, She brings good luck on a journey.
Least Weasel investigates every nook and cranny, looking for prey or enemies. Exploring stonewalls, hedges, and bushes, Least Weasel hunts for her next meal. Standing on her hind feet, She scans for Mice and Voles. A good swimmer, Least Weasel hunts Water Mice. She climbs trees and searches through bushes to find bird’s nests. While hunting for food, Least Weasel displays a high degree of concentration and single mindedness.
Least Weasel’s Teachings Include:
“The Weasel teaches the ability to focus the mind; with courage, this can help you overcome problems and situations, which at first seems insurmountable.” Copyright: “Beasts of Albion”, Miranda Gray.
Conservation Note: Introduced in New Zealand to control Rabbits in the 1870s, Least Weasel has become a pest to be eradicated. Since Least Weasel’s introduction, native Bird populations, such as Kiwi, have declined.
Va. Carper
Janaury 19, 2004