Yellow-bellied weasel

species of mammal

The yellow-bellied weasel (Mustela kathiah) is a type of weasel. It lives in pine forests in central and eastern Asia.

Yellow-bellied weasel
At Shillong, Meghalaya, India
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Genus: Mustela
Species:
M. kathiah
Binomial name
Mustela kathiah
Hodgson, 1835
Yellow-bellied weasel range

Description

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This type of weasel is named for its yellow-colored underbelly; the upperside of the body and the tail are of a dark brown. Yellow-bellied weasels can grow up to 9.8–10.6 inches (25–27 cm) long. The tail is 4.9–5.9 inches (12–15 cm) long. It weighs about 3.3 pounds (1.5 kg).[2]

Distribution and Habitat

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It lives in Bhutan, Burma, China, India, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam. It lives in forests between 1,000 m and 2,000 m in elevation. In winter, it may come down lower than 1,000 m.[2]

Feeding

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Yellow-bellied weasels mostly eat rodents such as mice, rats, and voles. They will also eat birds and small mammals.[3]

Reproduction

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Yellow-bellied weasels first build a den in the ground. They breed every year. Mating happens in late spring or early summer. Females are pregnant for about ten months. The female gives birth to 3-18 kits in April or May. By the time the kits are eight weeks old, they are ready to go out and hunt by themselves.[3]

Economic importance

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Yellow-bellied weasels are easily trained. It can be used to control rodents in buildings.[3]

References

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  1. Duckworth, J.W.; Timmins, R.J.; Roberton, S.; Choudhury, A. & Lau, M.W.N. (2008). "Mustela kathiah". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008. Retrieved 21 March 2009. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Mustela kathiah, Yellow-bellied weasel". Thai National Parks. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 B, Kerstin; ner. "Mustela kathiah (yellow-bellied weasel)". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 2020-09-03.