Observations of Long-tailed Weasel, Mustela frenata, hunting behavior in central West Virginia

Abstract

Using infrared video-surveillance systems during 1999-2000, we observed attempts by two individual Long-tailed Weasels (Mustela frenata) to depredate female Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) and their clutch of eggs. Neither female was captured despite Long-tailed Weasel attacks on multiple nights, but all eggs from one nest were either consumed or cached over a two-night period. Although Long-tailed Weasels have been shown to return quickly to areas of abundant prey, return visit behavior to locations where weasels were unsuccessful or only partially successful are poorly described.