From Jean Tuomi
I had about three seconds to take this portrait of a Short-tailed Weasel that popped out of the rocks literally at my feet yesterday. Exciting to see one, until you realize that they are there looking for the same pikas that you are 😬
Central Oregon
Mustelinae in general are fearsome predators, killing prey many times their own size. But they are also among the cutest things you’ll ever see. I’m personally a huge fan of the Least Weasel, the Stoat and my shifty looking friend, the Ferret.
We had a pair of mins last year at the rehab and those guys were so much fun, but to small animals, they must be a real terror. Land or water, they are a danger to so many critters.
I had some type of these guys start approaching me in the woods. I thought it was some big squirrel at first as I’d never ran into a mustelid there before, but as it got near me, we both stopped and sized each other up. I think it would have come closer, but as at this point I was starting to get an idea of what type of guest was in front of me, I startled it gently before it got right up to me and then decided I was scary!
Very pretty animals, but a good reminder that our aesthetics can blind us to some gory realities.
I love them all. They are soooo cute.
Reminds me of the Farseer trilogy of books (Assassin’s Apprentice, Royal Assassin and Assassin’s Quest). The assassin’s kept a pet Weasel named Slink.
Ohh, the plot sounds interesting. I may have to check that out!
Robin Hobb is an amazing author. It’s well worth a read IMO. I’m currently partway through one of her other series.
