2006-10-04 05:59:20 · 5 answers · asked by Ya encotre mi respuesta 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Weasels are mammals in the genus Mustela of the Mustelidae family. Originally, the name "weasel" was applied to one species of the genus, the European form of the Least Weasel (Mustela nivalis). Early literary references to weasels, for example their common appearances in fables, refer to this species rather than to the genus as a whole.
Weasels vary in length from 15 to 35 centimeters (6 to 14 inches), and usually have a light brown upper coat, white belly and black fur at the tip of the tail; in many species, populations living at high latitudes moult to a white coat with black fur at the tip of the tail in winter. They have long slender bodies, which enable them to follow their prey into burrows. Their tails are typically almost as long as the rest of their bodies. As is typical of small carnivores, weasels have a reputation for cleverness and guile.
Most weasels feed on small mammals, and in former times were considered vermin since some species took poultry from farms, or rabbits from commercial warrens. Some species of weasel have been reported to perform a "hypnotic dance" in front of prey, which appears to mesmerize it. In folklore at least, this behavior is particularly associated with the stoat.
Of the 16 extant species currently classified in the genus Mustela, only 10 have "weasel" in their common name. Among those that do not are the stoat, the two species of mink, and the polecats or ferrets.
Photos:
http://images.google.co.uk/images?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=SUNA,SUNA:2005-40,SUNA:en&q=Weasel&sa=N&tab=wi
2006-10-04 06:17:21 · answer #1 · answered by Chapadmalal 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Weasels are mammals in the genus Mustela of the Mustelidae family. Originally, the name "weasel" was applied to one species of the genus, the European form of the Least Weasel (Mustela nivalis). Early literary references to weasels, for example their common appearances in fables, refer to this species rather than to the genus as a whole.
Weasels vary in length from 15 to 35 centimeters (6 to 14 inches), and usually have a light brown upper coat, white belly and black fur at the tip of the tail; in many species, populations living at high latitudes moult to a white coat with black fur at the tip of the tail in winter. They have long slender bodies, which enable them to follow their prey into burrows. Their tails are typically almost as long as the rest of their bodies. As is typical of small carnivores, weasels have a reputation for cleverness and guile.
Most weasels feed on small mammals, and in former times were considered vermin since some species took poultry from farms, or rabbits from commercial warrens. Some species of weasel have been reported to perform a "hypnotic dance" in front of prey, which appears to mesmerize it. In folklore at least, this behavior is particularly associated with the stoat.
Of the 16 extant species currently classified in the genus Mustela, only 10 have "weasel" in their common name. Among those that do not are the stoat, the two species of mink, and the polecats or ferrets
2006-10-04 13:02:31 · answer #2 · answered by Lil L 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
7 results for: weasel
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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1) - Cite This Source
wea‧sel /ËwizÉl/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[wee-zuhl] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation noun, plural -sels, (especially collectively) -sel, verb
–noun 1. any small carnivore of the genus Mustela, of the family Mustelidae, having a long, slender body and feeding chiefly on small rodents.
2. any of various similar animals of the family Mustelidae.
3. a cunning, sneaky person.
4. a tracked vehicle resembling a tractor, used in snow.
5. Slang. an informer; stool pigeon.
–verb (used without object) 6. to evade an obligation, duty, or the like; renege (often fol. by out): That's one invitation I'd like to weasel out of.
7. to use weasel words; be ambiguous; mislead: Upon cross-examination the witness began to weasel.
8. Slang. to inform.
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[Origin: bef. 900; 1920–25 for def. 6; ME wesele, OE wesle, weosule; c. OHG wisula, G Wiesel]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source wea·sel (wzl) Pronunciation Key
n.
Any of various carnivorous mammals of the genus Mustela, having a long slender body, a long tail, short legs, and brownish fur that in many species turns white in winter.
A person regarded as sneaky or treacherous.
intr.v. wea·seled, also wea·selled wea·sel·ing, wea·sel·ling wea·sels, wea·sels
To be evasive; equivocate.
Phrasal Verb:
weasel out Informa.
To back out of a situation or commitment in a sneaky or cowardly manner.
[Middle English wesele, from Old English wesle.]
(Download Now or Buy the Book) The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
WordNet - Cite This Source
weasel
n : small carnivorous mammal with short legs and elongated body and neck
WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University
Free On-line Dictionary of Computing - Cite This Source
weasel
or accidentally does things that are stupid or ill-advised.
Roughly synonymous with loser.
[Jargon File]
(1995-03-21)
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2005 Denis Howe
Jargon File - Cite This Source
weasel
n. [Cambridge] A naive user, one who deliberately or
accidentally does things that are stupid or ill-advised. Roughly
synonymous with loser.
Jargon File 4.2.0
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary - Cite This Source
weasel
(Heb. holedh), enumerated among unclean animals (Lev. 11:29). Some think that
this Hebrew word rather denotes the mole (Spalax typhlus) common in Palestine.
There is no sufficient reason, however, to depart from the usual translation.
The weasel tribe are common also in Palestine.
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
On-line Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source
weasel
weasel: in CancerWEB's On-line Medical Dictionary
On-line Medical Dictionary, © 1997-98 Academic Medical Publishing & CancerWEB
2006-10-04 13:08:32 · answer #3 · answered by Me 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Info can be found here -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weasel They're related to mink, ferrets, and other mustelids, and are very clever, but have a reputation as being sneaky and untrustworthy.
2006-10-04 13:04:23 · answer #4 · answered by triviatm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a small ferret looking kind if mammal, brown and with a long body
2006-10-04 13:02:55 · answer #5 · answered by quintanafi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋