Store-SkagastølstindScandinavian Mountains over 2000 metres - James Baxter
Flora & Fauna › Mammals › Least Weasel
Mustela nivalis ssp. nivalis, Least Weasel, Snømus. 20cm.
Like the stoat, they are fairly common residents throughout Scandinavia, but venture higher up the mountains.
They are more specialized to hunt small rodents than the stoat and chase them down their burrows or under snow. They will also hunt small birds. Like the stoat they cache food.
They live in fur lined burrows in the ground or between rocks. Similar colourings to the stoat in summer and winter, but never a black tip to tail. The females are smaller.
They can live up to 3 years.