- Patagonian Weasel
Taxobox
name = Patagonian weasel
status = LR/lc | status_system = IUCN2.3
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo =Carnivora
familia =Mustelidae
genus = "Lyncodon"
genus_authority = Gervais, 1845
species = "L. patagonicus"
binomial = "Lyncodon patagonicus"
binomial_authority = ( de Blainville, 1842)
subdivision_ranks =Subspecies
subdivision =
* "L. p. patagonicus" de Blainville, 1842
* "L. p. thomasi" Cabrera, 1928
synonyms =
*"Mustela patagonica" de Blainville, 1842The Patagonian Weasel ("Lyncodon patagonicus") is a small
mustelid that is the only member of the genus "Lyncodon". Its geographic range is thePampas of westernArgentina and sections ofChile . An early mention of the animal is in the Journal ofSyms Covington , who sailed withCharles Darwin on his epic voyage aboard the "HMS Beagle ".Description
The Patagonian Weasel has a head and body length of 300-350 mm (11.8 - 13.8
inch es), with a 60-90 mm (2.4 - 3.5 in) tail. Its fur is whitish with black and dark brown tones mixed in. It has smallear s, shortleg s and a bushy tail. The animal has not been thoroughly studied in the wild, and knowledge of itsbehavior al patterns are sketchy. It reportedly has been kept as a workingpet by local ranchers to destroy rodents.ources
* [http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lyncodon_patagonicus.html Behaviour of the Patagonian weasel]
* [http://www.terrambiente.org/fauna/Mammiferi/carnivora/mustelidae/images/lyncodon_patagonicus.jpgPicture of a Patagonian Weasel]
* [http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=14001199 "Lyncodon patagonicus" at Mammal Species of the World - Third Edition]
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