What Are a Least Weasel's Enemies?

The least weasel is the world's smallest carnivore and is found in Northeast Asia as well as northern North America, including Canada, Alaska and parts of the northern United States as far south as Wyoming and North Carolina. Commonly known as the dwarf weasel, pygmy weasel or mouse weasel, these wild animals are known to eat small rodents and eggs. But like all other small wild animals, they are also prone to being attacked from a number of larger predators, with them being particularly vulnerable from large flying birds of prey.

  1. Owls

    • Large owls are known to prey on the least weasel. Weasels will hunt and scavenge on the ground, looking for any small rodent they come across. Owls are very intelligent creatures and thanks to their excellent eyesight they can spot weasels forging for food from high in the air. Although weasels can reach up to six miles per hour when running, a low flying owl will easily catch and kill them instantly.

    Hawks

    • Just like the owl, hawks will actively hunt and kill any least weasel they come across. Hawks can be larger than most owls and therefore make light work of least weasels found out in the open. Hawks have extremely good eyesight and will patiently wait for weasels to come out of their burrow before pouncing. In many cases the least weasel does not know it is being stalked before it is too late.

    Foxes

    • The fox is a chief predator of the least weasel. Foxes are significantly bigger than the average least weasel and can easily catch and kill them. Since weasels hunt the same foods as foxes -- such as rodents -- they come into contact with each on a regular basis. The only real defense that a least weasel possesses is the ability to emit foul-smelling odors from its anal glands. However, this is useless against such a large predator.

    Cats

    • Large cats, such as mountain lions, attack and kill least weasels. Although the least weasel has the ability to hunt and kill prey up to five times its own size, when faced with a large predator they stand little chance. Least weasels will emit a shrill squeaking call and hiss when threatened. This rarely works against a large predator, however, and is more of a warning than an effective defense mechanism.