Grison
Galictis vittata
Classification
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Genus: Galictis
Species: vittata
The name "grison" comes from the French word "gris" which means "gray."
Description
The grison is a weasel-like creature with a long and muscular body. The head and the body measure 474-552mm (about 19-22 inches) and the tail is 146-163mm (about 6 inches). They only weigh about 3-7 pounds. The head, tail, and back is covered with long, gray-black hair with a distinctive white stripe across the forehead and the ears. This distinctive stripe can go as far as the shoulders and separates the black face, throat and chest from the grizzled gray back and tail. The short legs, thighs and feet of the grison are also colored black. The feet have long nails used for grabbing and are partially webbed. The eyes are small and black, but before the reflection of the light, the eyes are shining and of bluish green color.
Distribution & Habitat
These animals live in humid forests, dry forests, old secondary forests, grasslands and open country. They will even live under tree roots and in old deserted burrows. They are good climbers and this allows them to live in rock piles. Grisons live near water and are good swimmers. They can be found from Mexico to Peru and the south of Brazil. The grison can be found at altitudes from sea level to about 4000 feet.
Diet
A grison is a carnivore, which means that it eats meat. They hunt both night and day, often in small groups. Grisons feed on other smaller animals including small lizards, serpents, frogs, birds and their eggs, fruits, mice, chinchillas, viscachas, and other rodents. They kill their prey with a swift bite on the back of the neck.
Reproduction
Various studies indicate that offspring are produced in March, August, September and October. The litter size is usually about two to four young. Their other reproductive habits are not known at this time. Young grisons are easily tamed and make affectionate pets. In early nineteenth-century Chile, grisons were reportedly domesticated, trained and used the same as ferrets to drive other rodents out.
Behavior
The grison are mainly nocturnal, although their activity continues in to the morning. Grisons are very social and may be seen in pairs or groups sleeping, eating, running and playing together. They have a number of vocalizations, including sharp, growling barks when they are threatened. These animals are easily tamed and trained to help hunters; however this is no longer legal. They can cause damage to domestic animals, but are also used to combat rodent infestations or to hunt chinchillas, just like ferrets are used in Europe to hunt rabbits.
Status
This species is considered to be possibly threatened of extinction, due to loss of habitat by deforestation. It is protected by the Law of Conservation of Wild Life no. 7317, the Statutory law of Ambient 7554 no. and decree no. 26435-minae.
Grison Gateways
For more information, contact Small Carnivore TAG Education Liaison
Page created by Crystal Wheeler, Fall 2002 PJC ZooTech Student
Greater Grison