Are there weasels in oregon

For the most part, these subnivean zones do protect the little critters, hiding them from many major predators and the dangers of humans while keeping them heated by the relative warmth of the ground.

A weasel at Indian Ford Meadow Preserve. Photo: Dane Zehrung. These furry frights are part of the broader family Mustilidae commonly known as the weasel family , which in Oregon also includes the Pacific marten, mink, wolverine, American Badger, and river otter, among others. In the East Cascades, however, the short-tailed weasel or ermine and long-tailed weasel truly take the proverbial adaptation cake.

They may be the smallest mammalian predator species in the region at only inches long, but they pack an enormous predatory punch and take snow camping to a whole new level. What makes these weasels so well-equipped for the winter? To begin with, they blend in! Hawks, owls, coyotes, dogs and cats all catch and eat weasels after licking their wounds , which do little damage beyond an occasional visit to a rural chicken coop. It's mostly nocturnal, only 10 inches long, and prefers mountains.

The brown coats of all weasels change to white in winter east of the Cascades, which enables them to hunt more easily in the snow -- sometimes burrowing beneath the surface to search for mice.

Western Oregon weasels, though, don't change colors. If you want to automatically receive a daily homes and gardens tip, sign up here. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.

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Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Long-tailed weasels Mustella fremata live throughout the state. Those east of the Cascade Range typically have white winter coats, while those living in other parts of the state tend to keep their brown coloration year-round.

These weasels, named for their bushy tails that are roughly half their body lengths, have the widest distribution of any Mustelid in the Western Hemisphere. Rather than dense forests, they prefer smaller, more open wooded areas. In Oregon they can be found near crop fields and in suburban areas where small rodents are common. American minks Mustela vison are semi-aquatic weasels found throughout Oregon, particularly near rivers, lakes and marshes. Often hunted for their pelts, these sleek animals have fur ranging from dark brown to black with long guard hairs and a dense undercoat.

Like other weasels, they tend to be most active at night, foraging opportunistically for prey ranging from rodents and other small mammals to fish, birds, and eggs. Although common in the state, their nocturnal and secretive behavior ensures they're seldom seen.

Other Mustelid species also live in Oregon.