European polecat vs least weasel

Mustela putorius compared with Mustela nivalis

Key Differences

• European polecat is Vulnerable while least weasel is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European polecat	least weasel
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (cordados)	Chordata (cordados)
Class same	Mammalia (mamíferos)	Mammalia (mamíferos)
Order same	Carnivora (carnívoros)	Carnivora (carnívoros)
Family same	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus same	Mustela	Mustela
Species	Mustela putorius	Mustela nivalis

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

European polecat

VU — Vulnerable

least weasel

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European polecat	least weasel
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

European polecat

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (10 countries) and South America (Brazil, Colombia). Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

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.

European polecat

O furão-europeu (Mustela putorius) está classificado como Vulnerável (VU) na Lista Vermelha da UICN. Enfrenta alto risco de ameaça no estado selvagem, com populações em declínio e crescente pressão sobre o habitat.

least weasel

A Doninha-comum (Mustela nivalis) está classificada como Quase Ameaçada (NT) na Lista Vermelha da IUCN. Está próxima de se qualificar como ameaçada, com populações que podem tornar-se vulneráveis sem ação de conservação.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 8 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇮🇹 Italy 🇳🇴 Norway 🇵🇹 Portugal 🇷🇺 Russia 🇪🇸 Spain 🇸🇪 Sweden