General: Long-tailed Weasels (Mustela frenata) are small, voracious predators. They are brown on the back, yellowish below, and white under the chin. The tip of the tail is black, and the hind foot is brown (not white). Males grow to about 10 inches, plus a 4-6 inch tail, and weigh about 3/4 pounds; females are somewhat smaller. In northern areas, this species turn white during winter.

Long-tailed Weasels are uncommon around Las Vegas, so don't expect to see one. If you do see one, you are very lucky. Around Las Vegas, look for them in mountains areas (mostly up out of the hottest desert areas). Also look for them to the north in the Great Basin, over in Zion National Park, and on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Taxonomy: Order Carnivora (Carnivores); Family Mustelidae (Weasels).

Diet: Long-tailed Weasels will eat anything that doesn't run faster than they do, including dead animals, but they mostly feed on small mammals up to the size of rabbits.

Habitat: Weasels live in a wide variety of habitats from the deserts to the high mountains. They rarely wander far from water.

Habits: Long-tailed Weasels are chiefly nocturnal, sleeping in burrows of other animals, under rocks, and similar places.

For more information: see the Smithsonian Institution Mammals of North America.