The weasel, whose scientific name is Mustela nivalis, belongs to the group of mustelid mammals, which is home to approximately 60 species, among which we can also find the stoat, the badger, the mink or the ferret.
It is the smallest mustelid mammal and it moves by jumping, however, despite its anatomical limitations, it is a very efficient hunter capable of taking down prey that far exceed its size.
If you want to discover more about this animal, in this article on our site we will tell you all about the diet of the weasel.
The digestive system of weasels
In order to be able to ingest its prey as well as digest and absorb all the nutrients it obtains through it, the weasel has an important characteristic, a lower jaw formed only by from a bone and highly specialized teeth (34 in total).
The weasel has a digestive tract made up of a mouth, esophagus, stomach and intestines, along this duct lead to different glands that They fulfill different functions, all of them related to nutrition, such as the salivary, gastric, intestinal, pancreatic and hepatic glands.
The Weasel Feeding
The diet of the weasel is a carnivorous diet, these mustelids eat mainly mice, but also bird eggs and to a lesser extent insects, reptiles, birds, rabbits, fish and amphibians.
As we will see below, the weasel is an exceptional hunter just like the stoat, and can feed in many ways thanks to their ability, finally ingesting a wide variety of foods.
How does the weasel hunt?
As we have mentioned before, the weasel is the smallest mustelid mammal species that exists, especially if we look at the females, whose weight is less than that of the males. In this case, they enter the burrows of rodents and surprise them, managing to catch rats, mice and small moles. Instead, the males hunt rabbits and hares.
The birds that nest on the ground are also prey for the weasels, which are not satisfied with hunting the bird but also plunder any possible nests they might find.
Weasels have a great ability as they can climb, get into small holes, run and even dive, so you shouldn't surprising that they also feed on snakes, crustaceans and molluscs.
All the characteristics that make the weasel a great hunter are absolutely necessary, since this animal has a high metabolism and needs to be great part of his day hunting.
Feed a captive weasel?
Fortunately, the weasel is not considered a threatened species, however, the species Mustela Nivalis is part of the native fauna of Spain and therefore its capture and maintenance in captivity are prohibited and penalized by current legislation.
If this animal attracts you as a pet, you can opt for similar mustelid mammals whose possession is legal, such as having a ferret as a pet.
