Weasel, Mustela nivalis

Borowski, Z. (1998) Influence of weasel (Mustela nivalis Linneaus, 1776) odour on spatial behaviour of root voles (Microtus oeconomus Pallas, 1776). Can. J. Zool. 76, 1799-1804. 

In laboratory tests, least weasels, Mustela nivalis, were more attracted to estrous than diestrous urine of prairie deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii. This may increase the weasel s preying chances through the presence of pups in the case of postpartum estrus or estrous females may indicate a higher population density (Cushing, 1984). 

Stoddart, D. M. (1976). Effects of weasels (Mustela nivalis) on trapped samples of their prey. Oecologia 22,439-441. 

Small rodents depend on detection of a predator prior to actual contact. Thus, voles are sensitive to the scent of potential predators and respond to such odors without the necessity for other cues. In the wild, field voles Microtus agrestis) have been observed to avoid traps tainted with either weasel (Mustela nivalis) anal gland secretion or red fox (Vulpes vulpes) feces (Dickman Doncaster, 1984 Stoddart, 1976). Similarly, meadow and montane voles (M pennsylvanicus and M. montanus) were observed to avoid traps treated with the principal odiferous component of fox feces, 2,5-dihydro-2,4,5-trimethyl thiazoline (Sullivan, Crump Sullivan, 1988). The laboratory experiments discussed in the present chapter provided a quantitative assessment of locomotor activity levels following exposure to predator odor in laboratory-bred meadow voles. 

Sulfur compounds (72-92) have been identified as malodorous components of the anal sac secretion from the striped skunk Mephites mephites 316), the polecat Mustela putorius 317-319), the stoat Mus-tela erminea 317, 320), the mink Mustela vison 317, 321), the ferret Mustela putorius forma furo 318, 322) and the weasel Mustela nivalis... 

---