Our Privacy/Cookie Policy contains detailed information about the types of cookies & related technology on our site, and some ways to opt out. By using the site, you agree to the uses of cookies and other technology as outlined in our Policy, and to our Terms of Use.

Close

What Do Short-Tailed Weasels Eat?

i Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images

The short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea) lives in the northern temperate regions of North America and Eurasia. These animals have typical weasel form: a long thin body, a long neck, short legs and a small head. The fur on their underside is pale, and the rest of their fur is reddish-brown to black for most of the year. During winter their fur turns white, to camouflage them in the snow. This winter coat inspires "ermine," another name for this animal. Ermine is a French word meaning "white winter color."

Habitat and Home Range

Short-tailed weasels live in woodland areas around lakes and rivers. They require heavy underbrush for hiding when they stalk their prey, but they tend to avoid dense forests. They are solitary creatures, and maintain exclusive home ranges by scent-marking and patrolling their boundaries. Home ranges span across 25 to 50 acres, depending on the quantity and density of food sources in a range. Males' home ranges may cover twice as much territory as those of females. Ermine build burrows within their home ranges but sometimes take over abandoned burrows or nests of their prey.

Diet

Like most weasels, these animals are true carnivores. They prey on mammals rabbit-size or smaller. Short-tailed weasels will consume voles, shrews, rabbits, rats, chipmunks and other small mammals in their habitats. When such animals are scarce, short-tailed weasel will turn to birds, eggs, frogs, fish and insects. Males tend to chase and consume larger prey than females.

Food Habits

Short-tailed weasels hunt primarily at night. When they spot potential prey, they rush to overtake the animal quickly, sinking their teeth into the back of the victim's neck and head. They kill their prey by biting the base of the animal’s skull repeatedly. Because short-tailed weasels must eat at least once a day, they store extra food in case hunting is unsuccessful later. When their favored supply of mammals is scarce, they will go after animals such as insects that are easier to catch. In the summer, they’ll also consume fruit and berries.

Behavior

Ermine move quickly, both aboveground and in underground tunnels and burrows. Females prefer to hunt in underground tunnels; males more often hunt on the surface. A weasel moves carefully, investigating every hole and crevice. When tracking its prey, it moves in a zigzag pattern to escape detection. Short-tailed weasels may travel over 9 miles in one night in search of food. These solitary animals do not hunt together, and do not associate with other ermine except while mating.