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Egyptian weasel (Mustela subpalmata)
Egyptian weasel fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
- Print factsheet
Egyptian weasel description
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Mustelidae |
| Genus | Mustela (1) |
The Egyptian weasel, together with its more common cousin, the least weasel (Mustela nivalis), is considered to be the smallest carnivore in the world (3). So similar are the Egyptian weasel and the least weasel that it was only recently, in 1992, that the two were determined to be separate species (4). The Egyptian weasel is a slender, long, nocturnal carnivore with small legs. It has a small head and ears, and a broad snout. The upperparts of the body are chestnut to dark brown and the underparts tend to be creamy to white, sometimes patterned with brown spots. The tail is long and thin (around a quarter of the total length of the animal) and, unlike the rest of the body, is uniformly brown (2). It is quite a vocal animal, producing a variety of snorts, yelps and whines (2).
- Size
- Male head-body length: 36.1 - 43 cm (2)
- Female head-body length: 32.6 - 39 cm (2)
- Male tail length: 10.9 - 12.9 cm (2)
- Female tail length: 9.4 - 11 cm (2)
- Male weight: 60 - 130 g (2)
- Female weight: 45 - 60 g (2)
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Related species
Egyptian weasel biology
Although a mostly nocturnal animal, the Egyptian weasel is also often seen in the day (2). While it has excellent eyesight and hearing, this weasel mainly utilises its acute sense of smell when foraging, as it hunts for a variety of small rodents, insects, fish and birds (2) (5). As an occupant of many human habitations, it will also scavenge in human refuse (2).
The Egyptian weasel male is territorial and solitary, marking the borders of its territory with urine and faeces. A female may live within the territory of a male, where she will construct a nest in a cavity, wall crevice or pile of rocks. The female gives birth to litters of between four and nine young, and can do so up to three times a year (2).
TopEgyptian weasel range
The Egyptian weasel is, as its name suggests, endemic to Egypt. Its range extends from Port Said and Alexandria in the north to Cairo and Faiyum in the south (2).
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Species with a similar range
Egyptian weasel habitat
The Egyptian weasel inhabits the same areas as humans, including cities, villages and agricultural areas (1) (2).
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Species found in a similar habitat
Egyptian weasel status
Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).
Egyptian weasel threats
This species is not currently known to be facing any significant threats (1).
TopEgyptian weasel conservation
As a common species, lacking any major threats, conservation actions are deemed to be unnecessary for the Egyptian weasel at this time (1).
TopAuthentication
Checked (24/08/10) by Dr Francis Gilbert, Associate Professor, University of Nottingham.
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/~plzfg/
 | This species information was authored as part of the ARKive and Universities Scheme. |
Glossary
- Carnivore
- Belonging to the order Carnivora, a diverse group of mammals that typically have strong, sharp claws, large, sharp teeth, and strong jaws, and feed primarily on meat. It includes all the cats, dogs, bears, weasels, seals and walruses.
- Endemic
- A species or taxonomic group that is only found in one particular country or geographic area.
- Nocturnal
- Active at night.
- Territorial
- Describes an animal, a pair of animals or a colony that occupies and defends an area.
- Territory
- An area occupied and defended by an animal, a pair of animals or a colony.
References
-
IUCN Red List (April, 2010)
http://www.iucnredlist.org - Hoath, R. (2009) A Field Guide to the Mammals of Egypt. American University in Cairo Press, Cairo.
-
Hoath, R. (2009) The Weasel. The American University in Cairo Biology Club, Cairo. Available at:
http://bioclub.wordpress.com/2009/10/09/the-weasel/. - Dejong, C.G.V. (1992) A morphometric analysis of cranial variation in Holarctic weasels (Mustela nivalis). Zeitschrift für Saugetierkunde, 57(2): 77-93.
- Nowak, R.M. (2005) Walker’s Carnivores of the World. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland.
More »Related species
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Image credit
Egyptian weasel amongst rubble
© Abdulrahman Hassanein
Abdulrahman Hassanein
PO Box 6002
Doha
Qatar
Tel: +974 (0) 55661697
Egyptiansioux@yahoo.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/egyptiansioux/
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