Japanese Weasel vs Prickled ray

Mustela itatsi compared with Malacoraja spinacidermis

Key Differences

• Japanese Weasel is Near Threatened while Prickled ray is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Japanese Weasel	Prickled ray
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Elasmobranchii
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Rajiformes (Rajiformes)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Rajidae
Genus	Mustela	Malacoraja
Species	Mustela itatsi	Malacoraja spinacidermis

Evolutionary Relationship

Japanese Weasel and Prickled ray share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Japanese Weasel

NT — Near Threatened

Prickled ray

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Japanese Weasel	Prickled ray
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Japanese Weasel

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in Japan. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Prickled ray