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Identify wild animal
Sent to Pet Experts April 04 10:37 AM

I have just found a mammal, probably killed by one of my barn cats, that I can’t identify. I’m in northwestern Iowa. Is is a small, least weasel type of animal. It is dark brown with white underside. It also has white feet and this is what confuses me, it has a shorter tail that is white tipped! Accually, it is a white tipped tail with a small number of dark brown hairs at the very tip. It’s body is about 6-7inches in length. We have a farm with a large pond. We have a lot of bushes and trees planted for wind. We have a lot of stiped ground squirrels, badgers, mink, skunks, raccoons, fox, moles, voles, opposums, etc. Can you identify? I’ve got him bagged and in the freezer. Thank you, Barbara

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April 4 11:01 AM (23 minutes and 27 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
I suspect you have a weasel that is in the late part of the process of changing from winter white coloration (AKA ermine) to summer brown.
I think the white hairs in the tail are the last of the winter coat.
Short tailed weasels are among the species that change to white in winter. But they have black tipped tails. It usually is about 7-13 inches
The least weasel also turns to white and it does not have a black tail tip. Its less than 10 inches in length.
Check out the pictures over at http://www.montanatrappers.org/furbearers/short-tail-weasel.htm to compare to what you have.

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NancyH -- Pet Health Care, Rescue,Train,Breed99% Positive Feedback on 7083 Pet Accepts
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Reply
April 4 2:28 PM (3 hours and 27 minutes and 40 seconds later)
         
Reply to Nancy Holmes's Post: I had considered the color change also, but am not totally sold on that as I'm not familiar with weasels coats changing from white to brown, but most other mammals shed their winter coats all over, not tail last.
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April 4 2:45 PM (16 minutes and 8 seconds later)
         
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I know I've seen hares all patchy from winter coat changes and if you look here http://www.motherearthnews.com/library/1986_November_December/Weasel_in_the_Woodpile
there is a picture of a weasel changing its coat and lots of good weasel info too :) and there is good info on the differemt weasel species on the other site I posted for you too.
The least weasel seemed the most likely species to me as it has no black tail tip.

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NancyH -- Pet Health Care, Rescue,Train,Breed99% Positive Feedback on 7083 Pet Accepts
30+yrs pet vet care & nursing, rescue, behavior & training, responsible breeding, small animal care
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