Description
Scientific Name: Mustela itatsi
The Japanese weasel (Mustela itatsi) is a carnivorous mammal from the family Mustelidae and is a member of the genus Mustela. Small carnivorous animals called Japanese weasels are indigenous to Japan. They have orange-brown fur with darker head patterns. Typically, the throat’s fur is white in colour. In this species, females are generally smaller than males.
Habitat
Native to Japan, Honsh, Kyushu, and Shikoku are the islands where you can find Japanese weasels. They often reside close to water in mountainous or forested settings. Try to stay away from large cities as they can also be found in pastures, villages, and suburbs.
Behavior
With the exception of courtships for mating and mothers with young, Japanese weasels are solitary animals. Particularly dominant males are extremely territorial and will fight to protect their home territory. Even against considerably larger species, weasels all display an active defense when faced with danger. Weasels also emit a powerful amount of scent to repel attackers when cornered or frightened.
Japanese weasels are excellent hunters, chasing prey by any means, such as swimming, running through tunnels, and climbing trees. The weasel can follow its prey anywhere it can go. These skills result in extremely high hunting success. They are both diurnal and nocturnal.
Diet
Japanese weasels eat meat. They eat insects, crayfish, frogs, reptiles, mice, and other animals.
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