When they see a photo of an animal weasel, people immediately think that this is a very gentle creature, like its name. However, appearance can be deceiving, and in fact it is an aggressive and very bloodthirsty representative of the wild. The animal has been seen more than once when committing robberies on household plots. On the other hand, many peoples of the world revered affection, even the Slavs believed that this creature was the guardian of the hearth, and the French generally believed that it brings good luck. The Serbs never shot at the weasel, as it was believed that then the bullet would hit the hunter, not the animal.
Short description and life expectancy
This is a very small creature from the Kunih family. The animal has an elongated and thin body. On short legs very sharp claws. Weight does not exceed 200 grams, and on the face a forked nose. The neck is strong and long, the eyes are large and always dark, the ears are rounded.
Writing a separate description of the animal caress of the female and male is rather difficult, since they are practically indistinguishable externally, only the females are slightly smaller, about 30%.
Each individual has glands near the tail that secrete mucus, which has an unpleasant odor. Thus, animals mark their territory and scare away uninvited guests.
There is still a lot of controversy regarding the maximum age of affection, some scientists say that they live 20 years, others say that they’re 30, and some sources even indicate 60 years. At the same time, animals of this size rarely live in nature for more than 8 years.
When the cold comes
The animals have a warm, fluffy, long-nap brown “fur coat”. The stomach and neck are painted white. However, as soon as the cold sets in, the animal changes its coat color from brown to white, becoming covered with even longer hair. This is not only a way to protect oneself from the cold, but also a good disguise, because a white creature in white snow is much harder to notice.
Habits and lifestyle
Looking through the photo and description of the animal caress, it is impossible not to admire his habits. This is a fearless creature that is not afraid even of man. Many hunters and fishermen know that you can be left without a part of the prey, if there is a weasel nearby.
This animal is very active. It can hunt at any time of the day, but still prefers darkness. The uniquely folded body allows you to penetrate almost any hole and crevice. Sharp claws help you quickly cope with prey. For a day, weasel can run up to 1 kilometer.
If the animal is full, then it still hunts, and lays its prey on hungry times. Stacks carcasses in secluded places.
In the winter season, it mainly moves in voids under the thickness of snow and for a long time may not appear on the surface.
Habitat
A natural question arises: "Where does animal caress live?" You can meet the animal throughout Europe, in North America and Asia. It prefers fields, lowlands in the mountains, can settle near human settlements, in sheds and barns. Can live in hollows, burrows and under stones.
He does not really tolerate the proximity with his own kind, especially if there is not enough food. But sometimes animals form entire colonies.
Diet
What does an animal caress eat? The animal eats protein food and exterminates small rodents. Killing mice near settlements, the animal is of great benefit to humans. In addition to mice, eats:
- chickens;
- lizards;
- moles;
- rabbits;
- pigeons;
- snakes and vipers;
- frogs;
- large insects.
Breeding
The process of reproduction of offspring directly depends on the number of field mice in the territory of residence. If there is enough food, then the female can bring children 3 times a year, sometimes 4. At the same time, the richer the life, the more children in the brood, sometimes their number reaches 10. If the “hungry” year falls, then everything changes with accuracy on the contrary, the number of offspring is reduced, as is the number of pregnancies.
Males of animal caress absolutely do not take any part in the upbringing of the younger generation. After mating with one female, the male goes further in search of a new girlfriend.
Before giving birth, the female expels a small animal from her mink, since she does not know how to dig herself, and equips the nest. Pregnancy lasts no more than 35 days. The weight of babies does not exceed 1.5 grams, they are born blind. After 3 or 4 months, the children become completely independent and leave the mother.
Natural enemies
Having a small size, an animal weasel itself is a "tidbit" for larger predators. In the wild, the animal fears birds of prey, kites and vultures. Hunting animals are martens, badgers, wolves and foxes, although weasel is not a simple prey, it is able to fend for itself. May even bite the throat of a larger predator.
Man is not a natural enemy for an animal, there is little meat from such a creature, and the skin is not much appreciated, as it is small in size.
Animal at home
Since ancient times, animal caress was kept at home. The tradition appeared in ancient Rome, then the animal was tamed for catching mice. But after some time, rats appeared in the houses, which the weasel could not cope with, and cats took its place.
In the modern world, there are people who prefer exotic animals instead of traditional cats and dogs. Weasel also fell into the category of such. But the animal can become domestic only under one condition - if it is raised from infancy. Such an animal quickly becomes attached to its owner, sleeps with him in the same bed and even gets bored after a long separation.
Raising an adult animal is almost impossible. The animal’s character is aggressive, it often bites strongly and will constantly make attempts to escape.
Rules of keeping and taming
You can’t treat an animal caress like a cat, the animal requires a special attitude. The baby must be cherished and loved. The animal needs a house, but it is impossible to limit freedom, it must be allowed to calmly move around the apartment or house.
In his house there should be driftwood and all kinds of hills, shelves, so that the animal could climb. The bottom of the cage or other device for housing is recommended to cover with straw.
With quality education, the animal will go to the toilet in a special tray.
The animal must have constantly clean water. With a diet it will be more difficult, it should be as close to natural as possible. It should be meat and fish, other seafood is allowed. Uniquely included in the menu eggs. But the animal eats very little, about 30-40 grams per day.
Weasel is quite independent in the process of self-care. With a varied menu, the owner does not have to take care of the animal's hair, but regular visits to the veterinarian are still recommended.
An animal petting can bathe on its own, only it is necessary to create suitable conditions for it. For this, even a bath with water is suitable.
In the process of molting, the creature should not be combed out. Only with wet hands remove excess hair.
Taking home a caress, one should never forget that this is a predator, wayward and aggressive, albeit very small in size.