Weasels fur is monochrome reddish brown, only the neck and abdomen are painted white. With the onset of cold weather, a new coat with a long pile of white grows – this is not only a rescue from winter frosts, but also an excellent camouflage that allows Weasel to be invisible against the background of snowdrifts. Hence the Latin name weasel – Mustela nivalis – which translates as “snowy”.
Strong short paws with sharp claws allow weasels to climb trees perfectly and tear out mouse holes, but she has to jump with her backs high, and to look around she has to stand on her hind legs and look out for the tall grass.
Weasel has no permanent shelter, he uses secluded places for rest: crevices of rocks, space between roots and bushes, rarely climb trees. Weasel is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere. It can be found in the forests, and on the open ground among the bush, and on overgrown felling, in the tundra, steppes, in the alpine meadows.
Weasel is not whimsical in choosing habitats, the main condition of weasels living is the abundance of food: mouse-voles is the basis of weasel’s healthy diet, although she can diversify her diet with a gaping bird, bird eggs, large rodents, lizards and frogs, fish, and Even snakes and rabbits, does not disdain Weasel and insects.
In ancient times, it was believed that meeting with Weasel brings misfortune and such a belief has not appeared with a simple. Weasel is a curious and impudent beast, she is absolutely not afraid of people and can easily steal a piece of kebab or a catch caught on fishing – she will do it quickly, qualitatively and imperceptibly. Her tricks are so quick and sudden that you do not even have time to get angry.
There was also the opposite opinion that weasel brings happiness and luck. Weasel for a short period of time is able to exterminate a large population of rodents, which bring considerable harm to agriculture – thereby it brings invaluable benefits to man.
