Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: WEASEL, LONG-TAILED

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: MAMMALIA

Order: CARNIVORA

Family: MUSTELIDAE

Genus: NEOGALE

Species: FRENATA

SubSpecies: PRIMULINA

Taxonomic Authority: JACKSON

Taxonomy References: 043 , 022 , 001

Status

FURBEARER
GAME
STATE RANK S3
GLOBAL RANK G5

Status References: 003 , 004 , 016

Habitat Summary

"Prefer forests, thickets and brushy fencerows. Presence of water is important."

Primary Habitat: "Habitat generalist"

References: 003

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Statewide, but most common in south-central and southwestern portions of state *01,02*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
ADAIR ANDREW
BOONE ATCHISON
CALLAWAY AUDRAIN
CARROLL BARRY
CEDAR BARTON
COOPER BATES
CRAWFORD BENTON
DAVIESS BOLLINGER
HOWARD BUCHANAN
JASPER BUTLER
LACLEDE CALDWELL
LIVINGSTON CAMDEN
MACON CAPE GIRARDEAU
MADISON CARTER
PERRY CASS
PETTIS CHARITON
PIKE CHRISTIAN
PULASKI CLARK
RANDOLPH CLAY
SHELBY CLINTON
TANEY COLE
DADE
DALLAS
DEKALB
DENT
DOUGLAS
DUNKLIN
FRANKLIN
GASCONADE
GENTRY
GREENE
GRUNDY
HARRISON
HENRY
HICKORY
HOLT
HOWELL
IRON
JACKSON
JEFFERSON
JOHNSON
KNOX
LAFAYETTE
LAWRENCE
LEWIS
LINCOLN
LINN
MARIES
MARION
MCDONALD
MERCER
MILLER
MISSISSIPPI
MONITEAU
MONROE
MONTGOMERY
MORGAN
NEW MADRID
NEWTON
NODAWAY
OREGON
OSAGE
OZARK
PEMISCOT
PHELPS
PLATTE
POLK
PUTNAM
RALLS
RAY
REYNOLDS
RIPLEY
SALINE
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SCOTT
SHANNON
ST. CHARLES
ST. CLAIR
ST. FRANCOIS
ST. LOUIS
STE. GENEVIEVE
STODDARD
STONE
SULLIVAN
TEXAS
VERNON
WARREN
WASHINGTON
WAYNE
WEBSTER
WORTH
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 020 , 001 , 002 , 007 , 014 , 021

Distribution by Watersheds

Wyaconda R.
Miss. R. from Des Moines R. to MO. R.; and North R.
North Fork from Headwaters to South Fork
South Fork from Headwaters to North Fork
Salt R.
Cuivre R.
Meramec R.
Bourbeuse R.
Miss. R. from River Aux Vases to Ohio R.
Castor R. and Castor R. Diversion Channel
Chariton R. from Shuteye Creek to Mo. R.
Little Chariton R.
Pomme De Terre R.
Osage R. from Warsaw to Bagnell Dam
Mo. R. from Little Chariton R. to Gasconade R.
Lamine R.
Blackwater R.
White R. above Tablerock Dam
White R. below Tablerock Dam and Little North Fork White R.
Spring R.

Comments: "Likely to occur in units listed, based on county occurrence."

Distribution by Ecoregions

Central Till Plains, Mississippi River Alluvial Plains, Osage Plains, Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Cedar Glades
Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest
Southern Floodplain Forest
ALL

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Glaciated Plains
Glaciated Plains: Western
Glaciated Plains: Grand River
Glaciated Plains: Eastern
Glaciated Plains: Lincoln Hills
Big Rivers
Big Rivers: Upper Missouri
Big Rivers: Lower Missouri
Big Rivers: Upper Mississippi
Big Rivers: Lower Mississippi
Ozark Border
Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark
Ozark: Springfield Plateau
Ozark: Upper Ozark
Ozark: St. Francois Mountains
Ozark: Elk River
Ozark: White River
Ozark: Lower Ozark
Mississippi Lowlands
Mississippi Lowlands: Crowley's Ridge
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands
Osage Plains

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Aquatic Associations:

References for Aquatic Associations:

Habitat Types:

Shortleaf Pine Reproduction (0-3" dbh)
Shortleaf Pine Reproduction (3-9" dbh)
Mature Shortleaf Pine (open understory)
Wooded Riparian and Bottomland Hardwood
Mature Shortleaf Pine (dense understory)
Shrub-Grass
Fruiting Tree-Shrub
Eastern Red Cedar (70% + crown closure)
Savanna (Shrub-Fruiting Tree)
Savanna (Grass-Shrub)
Edge (Forest-Field)
Oak-Hickory Regeneration (0-3 years)
Oak-Hickory Regeneration: (3-10 years)
Mature Oak-Hickory (9" + dbh, open understory)
Mature Oak-Hickory: (9" + dbh, dense understory)

References for Habitat Types: 005

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Forest
Upland forest
Dry Forest
Dry-Mesic Forest
Mesic Forest
Upland Limestone/Dolomite Forest
Dry Limestone/Dolomite Forest
Dry-Mesic Limestone/Dolomite Forest
Mesic Limestone/Dolomite Forest
Upland Chert Forest
Dry Chert Forest
Dry-Mesic Chert Forest
Upland Sandstone Forest
Dry Sandstone Forest
Dry-Mesic Sandstone Forest
Mesic Sandstone Forest
Upland Sand Forest
Dry Sand Forest
Dry-Mesic Sand Forest
Mesic Sand Forest
Upland Igneous Forest
Dry Igneous Forest
Dry-Mesic Igneous Forest
Mesic Igneous Forest
Bottomland Forest
Dry-Mesic Bottomland Forest
Mesic Bottomland Forest
Wet-Mesic Bottomland Forest
Flatwoods
Savanna
Limestone/Dolomite Savanna
Chert Savanna
Sandstone Savanna
Sand Savanna
Igneous Savanna

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 005

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits

Adult Food Habits

Birds; Egg stage
Amphibians; Not Specified
Reptiles; Not Specified
Mammals; Not Specified
Soricidae (shrews); Not Specified
Talpidae (moles); Not Specified
Chiroptera (bats); Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified
Leporidae (rabbits); Not Specified
Sciuridae (squirrels, chipmunks, prairie dogs); Not Specified
Cricetidae (woodrats, mice, voles, lemmings); Not Specified
Birds; Not Specified
Fringillidae (grosbeaks, sparrows, finches, and buntings); Not Specified
Oligochaetes (earthworms); Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 002 , 009 , 015

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Fencerows

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 002 , 008

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Fencerows

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 002 , 008

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Floodplain specified in comments(00220)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: woodland/crop field edge
Edge: woodland/old field edge
Edge: woodland/grassland edge
Size of continuous forest stand specified in comments(00360)
Successional stage: abandoned field
Downed logs
Fencerows
Human association: barns/sheds
Stumps

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 002 , 008 , 012 , 017 , 019

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: woodland/crop field edge
Edge: woodland/old field edge
Edge: woodland/grassland edge
Fencerows

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 002 , 008 , 015

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: woodland/crop field edge
Edge: woodland/old field edge
Edge: woodland/grassland edge
Fencerows

References for resting adult niche requirements: 002 , 008

Niche Requirement Summary

Downed logs
Edge: woodland/crop field edge
Edge: woodland/grassland edge
Edge: woodland/old field edge
Fencerows
Floodplain specified in comments(00220)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Human association: barns/sheds
Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Size of continuous forest stand specified in comments(00360)
Stumps
Successional stage: abandoned field

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
028 Home range is about 400 acres *02*
035 Predators include foxes, coyotes, domestic cats, hawks, owls, snakes, and men. Parasites include ticks, fleas, round-worms and flat-worms.*02*
099 Males tend to range farther than females *02*. Individuals generally solitary *02*. Water is essential for drinking *02*. Young are born in April or May *02,08, 11*.young open eyes at about 5 weeks of age and wean at about the same time *08*.
007 Mate in July-August.*02,08,09*
018 Average litter size 5-8 *02*, 4-9 *08*.
030 Active in day and at night *02*
011 Generally occupy former nest or burrow of mole, ground squirrel, or mouse *02,08,10*
016 Two dens have been described: one measured 9" in diameter and was 6" below ground, the other measured 3" in diameter, was 12" below ground, was 3' long and had 2 chambers. *09,10*
017 Total gestation period lasts 279 days. Embryos develop to about 2 weeks of age then remain dormant and free in uterus. Implantation in uterus occurs at about 23 to 24 days before birth. *02,08*
021 Male may help take care of young *02*.
022 Males do not mate in first year.*02,08,11*, females mature at 3-4 months of age *02,08,10,11*

Life History Information

Home range size specified in comments(028)
Periodicity: active at night
Periodicity specified in comments(030)
Regulatory factors specified in comments(035)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Foraging strategy: stalking
Foraging sites: ground
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Nest/den site: underground burrow
Nest/den site specified in comments(011)
Nest/den site: under rocks
Nest/den site: man-made structure
Nest materials: grasses
Nest materials: hair or feathers
Nest dimensions specified in comments(016)
Gestation/incubation period specified in comments(017)
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)
Number of broods/litter per year: one
Development of young at birth/hatching: altricial
Parental care of young: female
Parental care of young specified in comments(021)
Age at sexual maturity specified in comments(022)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
028 Home range is about 400 acres *02*
035 Predators include foxes, coyotes, domestic cats, hawks, owls, snakes, and men. Parasites include ticks, fleas, round-worms and flat-worms.*02*
099 Males tend to range farther than females *02*. Individuals generally solitary *02*. Water is essential for drinking *02*. Young are born in April or May *02,08, 11*.young open eyes at about 5 weeks of age and wean at about the same time *08*.
007 Mate in July-August.*02,08,09*
018 Average litter size 5-8 *02*, 4-9 *08*.
030 Active in day and at night *02*
011 Generally occupy former nest or burrow of mole, ground squirrel, or mouse *02,08,10*
016 Two dens have been described: one measured 9" in diameter and was 6" below ground, the other measured 3" in diameter, was 12" below ground, was 3' long and had 2 chambers. *09,10*
017 Total gestation period lasts 279 days. Embryos develop to about 2 weeks of age then remain dormant and free in uterus. Implantation in uterus occurs at about 23 to 24 days before birth. *02,08*
021 Male may help take care of young *02*.
022 Males do not mate in first year.*02,08,11*, females mature at 3-4 months of age *02,08,10,11*

References for life history: 002 , 008 , 009 , 010 , 011

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Regulate harvest of species being described
Shrub/brush - develop and maintain water holes, ponds, potholes, etc.
Shrub/brush - maintain riparian habitats
Agricultural - develop and maintain water holes, ponds, potholes, etc.
Agricultural - maintain riparian habitats
Agricultural - develop/maintain edge (ecotones)
Agricultural - maintain habitat diversity
Agricultural - retention of crop residue over winter
Agricultural - develop/maintain hedgerows
Agricultural - develop/maintain brushpiles
Agricultural - develop/maintain ditchbank vegetation
Agricultural - develop/maintain windbreaks
Agricultural - maintain fencerows
Forest - maintain early stage of ecological succession
Forest - maintain riparian habitats
Forest - develop/maintain edge (ecotones)
Forest - maintain habitat diversity
Forest - even age timber management
Forest - reforestation

Beneficial Management References: 002 , 003

Adverse Managment Practices:

Shrub/brush - application of pesticides
Shrub/brush - application of insecticides
Forest - maintain old growth forests

Adverse Management References: 003

Comments on Management:

References for Management Comments:

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Hall, E.R. 1981. The Mammals Of North America, 2nd Ed. John Wiley And Sons, Inc. New York. 1181pp.
002 Schwartz, C.W. and E.R.Schwartz. 1981. The Wild Mammals Of Missouri 2nd. Ed. University Of Missouri Press And Mo. Dept. Of Conservation, Columbia, Mo. 356 Pp.
003 Unpb Erickson, D. 1981. Missouri Department Of Conservation. 1110 S. College Ave. Columbia, Mo. 65201 (573-882-9880)
004 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
005 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
006 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
007 Unpb Furbearer Harvest Survey, 1986-1990. Missouri Dept. Of Conserv. 1110 S. College Ave. Columbia, Mo 65201. (573)882-9880.
008 Haley, D. 1975. Sleek And Savage. North America's Weasel Family. Pacific Search Books. Seattle. 128 Pp.
009 Polderboer, E.B., L.W.Kuhn, And G.O.Hendrickson. 1941. Winter And Spring Habits Of Weasels In Central Iowa. J. Wildl. Manage. 5(1):115-119.
010 Sanderson, G.C. 1949. Growth And Behavior Of A Litter Of Captive Long-Tailed Weasels. J. Mammal. 30(4):412-415.
011 Wright, P.L. 1947. The Sexual Cycle Of The Male Long-Tailed Weasel (Mustela Frenata). J. Mammal. 28(4):343-352.
012 Missouri Dept. Of Conservation and U.S. Forest Service. 1985. Management Of Snags And Cavity Trees In Missouri. Mo Cons. Comm, Jefferson City, Mo. 21 Pp.
013 The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
014 Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
015 Weeks, H.P., Jr. 1993. Arboreal Food Caching By Long-Tailed Weasels. Prairie Nat. 25:39-42.
016 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2010. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 53 Pp.
017 Rosenblatt, D.L., E.J. Heske, S.L. Nelson, D.M. Barber, M.A. Miller and B. Macallister. 1999. Forest Fragments In East-Central Illinois:Islands Or Habitat Patches For Mammals? Am. Midl. Nat. 141:115-123.
018 Loeb, S.C. 1999. Responses Of Small Mammals To Coarse Woody Debris In A Southeastern Pine Forest. J. Mammal. 80(2):460-471.
019 Unpb Williams, A. 1999. Landscape And Habitat Influences On Small Mammal Assemblages In Lower Missouri River Floodplain Forests. M.S. Thesis, Univ. Of Missouri-Columbia. 112.
020 Unpb Hodge, John. 2003. 105 Elmcrest Ct., St. Charles, MO 63301 (636-946-3267)
021 UNPB Shelby Timm. MDC Mammal Database. Missouri Dept. of Conservation, Ellington Office. 2929 County Rd 618, Ellington, MO 63638/
022 The Mammal Diversity Database of the American Society of Mammalogists. 02/22/2023. https://www.mammaldiversity.org/index.html
043 The Mammal Diversity Database of the American Society of Mammalogists. 02/22/2023. https://www.mammaldiversity.org/index.html