What Animal Is The Cousin Of A Weasel

The Relatives of a Weasel

When you call someone a weasel, you're probably referring to his weasel-like qualities, such as existence sneaky, wily and out for "number one." The description is plumbing fixtures, because weasels and pretty much all members of the weasel family, known as "mustelids," are predatory and sly. There are 65 species, including weasels, in the mustelid family tree, although some, like otters, are counted more than than once because there are more than than one type.

A Few Weasel Relatives

If you want an idea of the different animals you would see at the weasel family reunion, some that might show up include wolverines, minks, ferrets, badgers, and otters. That's non just the modest, playful river otters, but their larger cousins the bounding main otters and the even larger giant otters, too. In the past skunks were classified as mustelids, but are now considered different enough that they've been moved to their ain family and been given their ain classifying name: mephitidea. It's a plumbing equipment moniker as information technology's Latin for "foul-odored ones."

Physical Characteristics

Animals in the same family with weasels share essentially the same beefcake, although their physical looks can vary a bit. Well-nigh of them have a long trunk, except for badgers and wolverines, who tend to accept shorter, stockier bodies, but they all accept short legs, five toes with claws on each of their 4 feet, and pocket-size eyes and small circular ears. These mustalid kinfolk also come equipped with powerful scent glands that requite off a strong and repulsive odor.

They Come in All Sizes

With over 65 species assigned to the mustelid species, y'all tin bet that there is a wide range of sizes living all over the world, including in N America, Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. Weasels actually start out at the bottom end of the size nautical chart with the blazon known equally the "to the lowest degree weasel," weighing in at just to a higher place ane ounce. South American behemothic otters get the accolade of being king-sized weasels, tipping the scales at 60 pounds and weighing as much equally ninety pounds.

Fearless Hunters

Weasels and their relatives are known for their fearlessness when it comes to hunting and confrontations. They are aggressive and predatory, and like their meat fresh, rarely if ever feeding on an creature that they haven't killed. Although weasels and their next of kin don't heed hunting and feasting on animals smaller than themselves, like birds, frogs, fish and small rodents, they've been known to assail and kill animals much bigger than themselves.

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