Photo Phriday 119 - Weasels
#8054281
01/19/24 10:00 AM
01/19/24 10:00 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,719 Idaho, Lemhi County
Gulo
OP
"On The Other Hand"
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OP
"On The Other Hand"
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,719
Idaho, Lemhi County
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Weasels are about the most interesting critter we trap, in my opinion. In her book, "Weasels and Stoats", Carol King lists some fascinating data. Seems the stoat (short-tailed weasel, Mustela erminea, ermine) is the Jeffrey Epstein of the animal world. The fathers often breed the newborns, effectively "raping" them soon after birth. These tiny newborns then grow rapidly, bearing the litters of their fathers (in many cases), that way assuring their DNA is passed on. Kind'a gross, but effective I guess. Also, there's tremendous variation in the size of the three weasel species in North America. For example, the short-tailed weasel in Alaska is often nearly as big as the long-tailed weasel in Idaho. These huge clinal differences have led some scientists to question the current systematics. I wouldn't be surprised to see a whole new classification of the weasels in the near future. I catch long-tailed weasels ( Mustela frenata) in marten boxes quite regularly in Idaho. In boxes with rat snap-traps or foothold traps, I've tried hundreds of trap-nights, and catch very few of anything. A short-tailed weasel ( Mustela erminea) every once in a while. A summer long-tailed weasel ( Mustela frenata). I've put out hundreds of nights of weasel boxes, often on good sign, and never caught a long-tailed weasel in one, although I get 'em regularly in Conibear boxes set for skunks or marten. Short-tailed weasels ( M. erminea) were common catches in elevated marten boxes in Alaska. Jack
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Re: Photo Phriday 119 - Weasels
[Re: Gulo]
#8054286
01/19/24 10:06 AM
01/19/24 10:06 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,825 MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
Trapper7
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,825
MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
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I love trapping weasels. Too bad they are worth so little. There was a time when a nice clean white one might fetch close to $10.
Most in this country have things people in other countries only dream about. Yet, they want America to be more like those other countries.
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Re: Photo Phriday 119 - Weasels
[Re: Gulo]
#8054370
01/19/24 11:43 AM
01/19/24 11:43 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,719 Idaho, Lemhi County
Gulo
OP
"On The Other Hand"
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OP
"On The Other Hand"
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,719
Idaho, Lemhi County
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Bushmaster -
Excellent photos. Thanks for contributing.
Jack
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Re: Photo Phriday 119 - Weasels
[Re: Gulo]
#8054386
01/19/24 11:58 AM
01/19/24 11:58 AM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,055 alberta
spjones
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,055
alberta
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Great pics! Right behind foot trapping coyotes, I love trapping weasels Enjoy their smell Prairie long tails here,,,
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Re: Photo Phriday 119 - Weasels
[Re: Gulo]
#8054405
01/19/24 12:22 PM
01/19/24 12:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,058 MN
160user
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,058
MN
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I like having weasels around the place here. They are excellent mousers. I caught one in the spring of the year as a kid that was still white on the back and brown on the belly. I thought that was the coolest thing ever.
I have nothing clever to put here.
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Re: Photo Phriday 119 - Weasels
[Re: Gulo]
#8054493
01/19/24 02:04 PM
01/19/24 02:04 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,629 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,629
james bay frontierOnt.
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I like to catch the northern shortailed ermine.they are easy to tan and they sell quicker than any other tanned fur,usually in bulk. Longtailed weasels which were unheard of here up until about 8 years ago are noticeably increasing in numbers here every year. They are expanding their range northward. Interestingly there have been a few sightings of northern animals here lately. Seen some pictures of Ptarmigan posted by different people around the area this winter,one picture of several ptarmigan in the church parking lot in town.
Last edited by Boco; 01/19/24 02:06 PM.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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Re: Photo Phriday 119 - Weasels
[Re: Sharon]
#8054500
01/19/24 02:10 PM
01/19/24 02:10 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,629 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,629
james bay frontierOnt.
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Why do you think that is, Boco ? The increase in longtailed ? I dont really know,but likely the change in the length and severity of the winters here over the past couple decades. Bluejays are also a species that started showing up occasionally about 20 years ago but have not seemed to increase.And I also happened to catch a bobcat this year which is an animal that is not known this far north.About 300 miles north of their northern range limit.
Last edited by Boco; 01/19/24 02:11 PM.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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Re: Photo Phriday 119 - Weasels
[Re: Boco]
#8054508
01/19/24 02:23 PM
01/19/24 02:23 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,540 Montana ,Rocky Mtns.
Sharon
"American Honey"
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"American Honey"
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,540
Montana ,Rocky Mtns.
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Why do you think that is, Boco ? The increase in longtailed ? I dont really know,but likely the change in the length and severity of the winters here over the past couple decades. Bluejays are also a species that started showing up occasionally about 20 years ago but have not seemed to increase.And I also happened to catch a bobcat this year which is an animal that is not known this far north.About 300 miles north of their northern range limit. I get that. Blue jays from back east began to show here too, several years back. Couldn't believe my ears when I heard that typical scolding that I used to hear many ears ago back east. But there he was, in a tree I planted . Stayed a few days then moved on. Haven't seen another one since then. Either way, enjoy those weasels. Someday I want a very nice hide for my display.
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Re: Photo Phriday 119 - Weasels
[Re: Sharon]
#8054534
01/19/24 02:54 PM
01/19/24 02:54 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,464 MT
snowy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,464
MT
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Such neat wee white ones. With their black tip tail. I hope to add a nice one to my fur wall sometime this winter/early spring , from AK. Sharon, I had to look a few times I thought it was a real picture from a camera. WOW! What a beautiful painting!! What talent and thank you foor sharing!!
Give me a fish, I will eat for a day. Teach me to fish, I will eat for a lifetime
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