Amazon weasel vs least weasel

Mustela africana compared with Mustela nivalis

Key Differences

  • Amazon weasel is Least Concern while least weasel is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank Amazon weasel least weasel
Kingdom same Animalia (Animals) Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same Chordata (Chordates) Chordata (Chordates)
Class same Mammalia (Mammals) Mammalia (Mammals)
Order same Carnivora (Carnivorans) Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family same Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters) Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus same Mustela Mustela
Species Mustela africana Mustela nivalis

Evolutionary Relationship

Amazon weasel and least weasel share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Mustela.

Conservation Status

Amazon weasel

LC — Least Concern

least weasel

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute Amazon weasel least weasel
Diet
Average Lifespan
Average Length
Average Weight

Habitat & Geographic Range

Amazon weasel

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

least weasel

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, tundra, and tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, among 4 distinct biome types spanning the Australasia and Oceanian and Palearctic realms.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (Sao Tome and Principe), Asia (Cyprus), Europe (11 countries), and Oceania and the Pacific (New Zealand). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Amazon weasel

The Amazon weasel (Mustela africana) is a species in the genus Mustela. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

least weasel

least weasel (Mustela nivalis) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.

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