Are there weasels in ny

A couple of days ago I took a short mid-day walk on a misty, overcast day. A small flash of white, in sharp contrast to the snow-less terrain, soon caught my eye.

A small animal was moving quickly, zig-zagging along a brushy, abandoned fence line at the edge of a Hemlock woodlot.

It had to be a weasel, and the fearless, curious, nature of these small predators meant I might have a chance for a photo. I started a parallel stalk, keeping 20 to 30 feet between us. An observer would have probably laughed uncontrollably at the scene, as I had to navigate through the understory; move quickly, but quietly, and only when it was behind a tree or log; adjust camera settings on the run to account for the rapid movements of both of us in terrible light; avoid loud cursing when time and time again it moved just as I steadied the camera for a shot; and so on.

There are three species of weasels in New York State, two that turn white in winter — except for a black-tipped tail: the Ermine Mustela erminea and the Long-tailed or New York Weasel. E asily distinguished as a member of the weasel family by the long, thin, tube-like body, short legs and a long tail, the long-tailed weasel is the largest of our native weasels whose fur color is dictated by the season.

This species of weasel is similar in size to a young gray squirrel. The weasel species living in NYS are the river otter, mink, American pine marten, fisher, ermine short-tailed weasel , and the long-tailed weasel.

The fisher is the second largest weasel in our region. They occupy a wide variety of wetland habitat types including streams, rivers, lakes, freshwater and saltwater marshes and coastlines. The city of New York has long defined ferrets as wild animals and generally prohibited them. Then Mr Giuliani made the ban specific to ferrets due to rabies concerns and fears of attacks on children. The city Board of Health was split on the issue, with the vote in favour but requiring six votes to pass.

They are now extinct in the State. They were familiar to trappers because of their propensity to rob traps. Both the long-tailed weasel and the ermine are distributed throughout New York State. The biggest difference between the two is that the Ferret makes a great pet, while the Mink is too wild for a domestic household and requires the attention of a zoo or other special habitat. Newcomb is the yearround home to three major centers of study and public education:. Apply Give Partner.

Gateways for Advanced Directory. Search ESF. James F. Newcomb Home Calendar Facilities. Adirondack Mammals. Social Behavior: Social system - Ermine are asocial during most of their lives. A male seeks out family groups and brings freshly killed prey to the female, probably to appease her and thus permit him to mate with both the female and her daughters.

Apart from this supplemental feeding, the male does not exhibit parental care. Adults occupy fixed home ranges which very in size with seasons and prey abundance. Home range size is from ha acre with ha acre an average. The home range of individuals of the opposite sex may overlap, but not those of the same sex. Males have larger ranges which may include those of several females. Local ermine populations vary in density, probably in response to a fluctuating prey base. Peak ermine densities reported from throughout the range are one ermine per ha Communication - Chemical signals play a key role in the life of the ermine, which has large anal glands.

Other glands may be present, e. Droppings scat deposited in conspicuous places within and along the boundaries of the home range mark occupied areas which transient avoid. Adults press or drag their abdomens over objects, another likely method of marking an area. When startled or attacked, an adult may first threaten by stamping the feet, and then discharge the powerful musk from the anal glands.

Additional References Hall, E. King, C.