Egyptian weasel

Egyptian weasel
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Family:	Mustelidae
Subfamily:	Mustelinae
Genus:	Mustela
Species:	M. subpalmata
Binomial name
Mustela subpalmata Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1833
Egyptian Weasel range

The Egyptian Weasel (Mustela subpalmata) is a species of weasel that lives in northern Egypt. It is rated "Least Concern" by the IUCN Red List. The Egyptian weasel has short legs, a small head, and small ears. Its tail is long and thin. The weasel has a broad snout. The upper part of the body is brown and the lower part is cream-colored. The Egyptian weasel is so similar to the least weasel (Mustela nivalis) that it was only discovered to be a separate species as recently as 1992.

The Egyptian weasel lives in the same places as humans, including cities and villages. It is mostly nocturnal. The female Egyptian weasel can have up to three litters a year. She gives birth to four to nine kits at a time.

References

1. ^ McDonald, R. & Hoffmann, M. (2008). Mustela subpalmata. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 21 March 2009. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern

External links

Nature.british-towns.net