Long-tailed Weasels (Mustela frenata) have endured negative misconceptions as a bloodthirsty, ferocious killer for centuries. Weasels are able and efficient hunters, but all the while must avoid becoming prey to larger predators. Weasels are eaten by many species including coyotes, foxes, bobcats, owls, hawks, and eagles. Most live only two years, with many perishing within a year of becoming independent.
Weasels are active year-round, making rounds of their territory and searching out prey. These hunting circuits of their home range generally happen every 7 to 12 days. Home ranges generally average 30 to 35 acres, however in times of food scarcity it may increase up to 400 acres. They hunt by exploring nooks and hollows where voles, mice, rabbits, shrews or other prey may hide. Mice and voles constitute up to 50-80% of Long-tail Weasel diets, but they can take larger prey such as rabbits, muskrats, fox squirrels, snowshoe hares, ruffed grouse and ducks. Its estimated Long-tailed weasels must consume at least 1.5 voles a day to survive. Diets change with the seasons and with the availability of prey items.
With their secretive lifestyles weasels are uncommonly encountered or seen, however they play an essential role in controlling rodent populations. The unchecked population of rodents such as deer mice can contribute to Lyme Disease being contracted by humans - the ticks that carry Lyme must use these mice or voles as a host during an early part of their life cycle. Less mice and voles generally means less ticks growing to adulthood, which is the point when ticks target humans and larger animals. If weasels are keeping rodents in check, tick populations will remain more regulated lowering the risk of contracting Lyme disease.
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