Colombian Weasel

(Mustela felipei)

Common Names:  Colombian Weasel, Comadreja de Felipe, Don Felipe's Weasel, Water Weasel

Classification    Description    Distribution    Habitat    Diet    Status    Links

Classification:

Kingdom: Animalia

    Phylum: Chordata

        Class: Mammalia

            Order: Carnivora

                Family : Mustelidae
                    Subfamily : Mustelinae

                        Genus: Mustela
                            Species : felipei

Return to TOP of page

Description:  Only five specimens were known as of 1996.  Several of these were confused with the long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata) before they were identified as a separate species.  The Colombian weasel is about 9 in. (22 cm.) long, and one specimen weighed 138 g (5 oz).  Webbing between the toes and a riparian distribution gives evidence that the Colombian weasel may be aquatic.

Return to TOP of page

Distribution:  As of 1996, only five specimens of the Colombian weasel were known.  The Colombian Weasel has been found in western Colombia as well as the Andes of northern Ecuador.

Return to TOP of page

Habitat:  Colombian weasels are considered to be riparian - to live near the bank of a body of water or a watercourse.  Several specimens have been collected in areas close to water at elevations of 1750 and 2700 m (5740' and 8900'), an altitude dominated by cloud forests. One collection was in the upper Suaza River valley, where the river contains stretches with torrential currents which are interrupted by quiet pools.  However, one of the most recent specimens was found in an area of rugged terrain that was not near water.

Return to TOP of page

Diet:  Not much information about the diet of the Colombian weasel is known.  However, weasels in general are carnivores who eat up to 40% of their body weight each day.  Their typical diet includes small mammals, birds, and insects.  Because it is suspected that the Colombian weasel may be aquatic, fish might also be a component of their diet.

Return to TOP of page

Status:  The Colombian weasel is considered endangered, with few specimens having even been seen or collected.  There is extensive deforestation in the area where the Colombian weasel has been found; however, it is not yet known if this is having an effect on the population.

            IUCN Red List Category: EN - Endangered  
          CITES Status: None

Return to TOP of page

Links:

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - Mustela felipei

Animal Info - Colombian Weasel

NatureServe - InfoNatura: Birds, Mammals, and Amphibians of Latin America - Colombian Weasel

Return to TOP of page

For more information contact the Small Carnivore TAG Education Liaison

Page created by Jennifer Bryant,

Pensacola Junior College Zootech Student, Fall 2005