Are there weasels in michigan

The Connecticut DEP conducted a distribution study of these two weasels from to DNA samples were needed to confirm the species of a given specimen. Both weasels have the characteristic long thin body and short legs associated with the weasel family. They have scent glands that can produce a pungent musk. The Short-tailed Weasel or Ermine has brown fur on the top and white fur on their belly. Their feet are white. In the winter Ermines gradually molt, replacing their brown fur with white except for the black-tip of the tail.

In our region weasels molt to white between October and December and back to brown between March and May. The molts are controlled by hormones which respond to the length of the period of daylight. The Long-tailed Weasel also has brown fur on the top and white fur on their belly. Their feet are brownish. The rabbit got away and I have to admit being glad about that. But I also suspect the ermine likely is the reason the spilled seeds in our garden tractor shed have gone uneaten through the winter.

While on the subject of predators, our property also had the first confirmed visits by bobcat, with photos on the trail cameras, the most recent on March 7. Most experts who I shared the photos with thought the second cat was a male, considering the size. The first appeared smaller, perhaps about 2 years old. Late winter is considered normal breeding season for this, the most common wild feline by far in Michigan and Wisconsin.

So this cat, which returned on consecutive nights, might have been making the rounds to mark territory and advertise for a mate, maybe even the other bobcat that appeared in January. I also got a couple of comments about worrying about pets around a bobcat. Considering they can be hunted with dogs, barking likely is enough to scare them off, Roell said. Just a note that conditions today — potential temperatures in the 50s, sunny, a southwest wind — should carry a host of early migrating bird species back into the Upper Peninsula.

Some will use the opportunity to move out as well. Still, both of these weasel types can sometimes be attacked by the common predators of the other, depending on food availability and exact location within the state of Michigan. Because both ermine and least weasels can become a problem for farmers, particularly when they begin hunting domesticated fowl, trapping and killing these weasels has occupied farmers for centuries.

However, ermine are also hunted for their fur, as they tend to have a particularly soft and luxurious winter coat. Ermine pelts are used to trim coats and make stoles. The furs of least weasels, on the other hand, do not have the same appearance or appeal. Brianna has been writing professionally since Although mink, ermine and weasels all like to live in bottomlands, mink always live near water.

They have semi-webbed feet that make them great swimmers. Mink, photo by Steven Hint, via Wikimedia Commons. Check out some of our other blogs that help you differentiate between creatures: Chorus frogs vs. Saw a black mink run across the road the other day here in Baltimore County.

A neighbor confirmed that he has seen them on occasion and they are believed to be native to our area. I saw a white mink or weasel on the bank of an island. July 23rd in Michigan. I thought they only turned white in winter?!

I was walking home the other night very late its the middle of July and small slender long white animal was running around me I assumed was a weasel. Apparantly they only get white in winter.

Saw a black mink catch a vole today and followed it. It was very curious about me and not too shy. It lives in a little cavern in a stone wall. On God, this cute little fella winked at me I almost died. Saw a Least Weasel last evening in Quincy, Washington. Tiny, with distinctly yellow underside and reddish tan top coat. Very fast. We have voles in the lawn, and I suspect that is its current food source.

One friend said perhaps it was a mother teaching the young how to hunt, but to me they all looked about the same size. An amazing sight! June 27,