Weasels are found in Tennessee, though they are considered uncommon. The only species present is the Long-tailed Weasel, Mustela frenata. This widespread mammal has the largest distribution of any member of the Mustelidae family in the Western Hemisphere. It is found across Tennessee, existing in various environments despite its relatively low population density.
Identifying the Long-tailed Weasel
The Long-tailed Weasel is characterized by a long, slender body and short legs. This physique gives the animal a sinuous, flowing movement as it traverses the landscape. Males are noticeably larger than females, ranging from 11.5 to 17.5 inches long, including the tail, and weighing between 2.5 and 9.5 ounces.
The coat is silky and dense, displaying a warm cinnamon or reddish-brown color across the back, sides, and head. This darker fur contrasts sharply with the underparts, which are yellowish-white from the chin down to the inguinal region. The tail is a defining characteristic, measuring approximately half the length of the body and head combined, and is tipped with a prominent brush of black fur.
Long-tailed Weasels in Tennessee typically retain their brown and white coat year-round. Weasels in colder, snowier regions often molt to an entirely white coat in winter for camouflage, but this seasonal color change is absent or rare in southern populations. The black tip on the tail is present regardless of the season or geographic location, serving a potential defensive function by diverting a predator’s strike away from the weasel’s head.
Habitat and Range Across Tennessee
The Long-tailed Weasel is distributed throughout the state of Tennessee, from the Appalachian regions in the east to the western lowlands. They do not specialize in one type of environment but instead prefer habitats that offer thick cover and access to small prey. These environments often include open woodlands, brushy fields, and thickets.
They are frequently found near water sources and along brushy fencerows that border agricultural fields. These areas provide a good balance of hunting ground and protection from predators. For denning and shelter, the weasel is an opportunist, often choosing to inhabit the abandoned burrows of small mammals they have preyed upon. They will also utilize natural cavities such as hollow logs, crevices beneath rock piles, or sheltered spaces under old buildings.
Diet and Hunting Behavior
The Long-tailed Weasel is an obligate carnivore with a high metabolic rate, meaning it must consume up to 40% of its own body weight daily. Their diet is heavily focused on small mammals, which they acquire with speed and agility. Primary prey includes mice, voles, shrews, chipmunks, and rats, with larger males sometimes taking on Eastern Cottontail rabbits.
The weasel’s long, slender body is perfectly adapted for pursuing rodents directly into their narrow underground burrows, giving it a distinct hunting advantage. When attacking prey, the weasel uses a swift, aggressive approach, delivering a precise, lethal bite to the base of the skull or neck. Although small mammals form the bulk of their diet, they will also occasionally consume birds, bird eggs, reptiles, and large insects when the preferred prey is scarce.
Though they are most commonly active during the night, Long-tailed Weasels are known to forage during the day as well, making them active both nocturnally and diurnally. They are solitary hunters, relying on their acute senses of smell and hearing to locate prey within their home range. Due to their relentless hunting behavior and high caloric needs, they are effective controllers of local rodent populations.