Siberian Weasel

The Siberian weasel is a medium-sized mustelid with an elongated body, short limbs and a relatively uniform coat. Winter fur is nearly all yellowish brown, while summer fur is darker brown; this more even colouring helps distinguish it from the strongly patterned steppe polecat (Abramov et al. 2018). In Japan it is native on Tsushima, while populations across much of western Japan originated through introductions during the twentieth century (National Institute for Environmental Studies).

It lives from lowlands into mountains and can occur around settlements, with lowland habitats often preferred (National Institute for Environmental Studies). Rodents form the core diet across much of its range, supplemented by birds, amphibians, fish, eggs, berries and nuts. On Tsushima, scat analysis found small mammals most often, followed by insects, plant material, birds, earthworms, amphibians and reptiles (Tatara and Doi 1994, summarized by Abramov et al. 2018). It is nationally Endangered (Japan MOE Red List 2020).