Weasels and their relatives make a group of small to medium-sized predators within the park. Generally carnivorous, many are opportunistic and omnivorous, changing their diet with seasonally available food. The animals detailed on this page are:
Long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata)
American mink (Mustela vison)
American badger (Taxidea taxus)
Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)
Long-tailed Weasel
Quick and elusive, you may spot a long-tailed weasel in prairie dog town or the boulder field at the base of the Tower
Fur is light brown in summer and white in winter
Length of 13–18 inches; weight between 5 to 11 ounces
Prey mostly on small rodents or squirrels, but diet can includes animals as large as rabbits or as small as insects; may also predate eggs and young birds
Dens in ground burrows, generally created by other creatures (like chipmunks)
Have 4-8 kits per litter, born in April or May; breeding occurs in summer but gestation is delayed so young are born when food is most abundant
American Mink
Fur is dark brown to black, often with white patches on the chin, throat, chest, or belly
The fur of the mink is soft with a thick, warm layer of underfur and longer, oily guard hairs which make the coat water-resistant
Considered semi-aquatic, meaning they spend a great deal of time in the water; they have webbed feet to aid this behavior
Measure from 20 to 24 inches in length (including a tail up to 8 inches long) and weigh about 2 pounds
Feed mostly on fish and other aquatic animals (crayfish, mullosks, frogs, etc.), but will also eat small mammals and birds
Mink can dive up to 19 feet deep and swim underwater for up 115 feet
Within the park, most likely seen in or near the river or prairie dog town
Breeds in February or March and litters of 6 to 10 kits are born about 2 months later
American Badger
Most likely seen in prairie dog town during twilight or night
Large body with short legs; fur is salt and pepper color with a white and black striped face
They measure 20" to 35” in length and weigh 9 to 26 pounds
Have powerful legs and long claws to rapidly dig into burrows of prey animals
Fossorial predator, meaning they eat burrowing animals (prairie dogs, other rodents, and snakes are most common)
Very defensive, to the point of being aggressive toward most other creatures (including humans)
Create dens for sleeping, food storage, and giving birth
Breeding occurs in July and August with delayed implantation; young are born in early spring (March-April)
Striped Skunk
May be seen in open fields or forested habitat; most active at night
Distinctive black fur with two white stripes running the length of its body and combining to one stripe at the tail
Not actually a weasel, they are in the related family Mephitidae
Average 2 feet long and weigh between 4 and 10 pounds
Highly omnivorous; diet includes eggs, insects, fruit, and small mammals
Has two scent glands near the anus which produce the hallmark spray, a powerful defensive adaptation
Most common predators include owls, hawks, and eagles, which can ambush a skunk before it releases the defensive musk
Breed from February to April; 2-12 kits are born in May or June
Last updated: January 14, 2020
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Contact Info
Mailing Address:
PO Box 10
Devils Tower,
WY
82714
Phone:
307 467-5283
x635
Devils Tower National Monument Information Line