Short-tailed weasel

Deer mice, P. maniculatus, on an island (Moresby Island, Gulf Islands, British Columbia) that now lacks their usual predator, the short-tailed weasel, M. erminea, still respond to its odor. However, they only show the more delayed and prolonged stress-type, opioid-sensitive behavior. By contrast, this island population has lost its fear and flight responses, which are benzodiazepine sensitive and more immediate. Mainland deer mice that are sympatric with weasels show both types of response (Kavaliers, 1990). 

Kavaliers, M. (1990). Responsiveness of deer mice to a predator, the short-tailed weasel population differences and neuromodulatory mechanisms. Physiological Zoology 63, 388-407. 

Parsons, G.J. Bondrup-Nielsen, S. 1996. Experimental analysis of behavior of meadow voles Microtus pennsyl-vanicus) to odors of the short-tailed weasel Mustela erminea). 1996. Ecoscience, 3, 63-69. 

Mink have a long, compact body, with relatively short l s, webbed toes, and a long, bushy tail. Minks are larger and more stout than other animals in the weasel group. Male minks are considerably larger than females, typically weighing about 4.4 lb (2 kg). 

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