Colombian weasel

The Colombian weasel (Mustela felipei), is rare. It is called the Don Felipe's weasel. It is only known from the departments of Huila and Cauca in Colombia and nearby northern Ecuador.

It only lives in riparian habitats at an altitude of 1,100 to 2,700 m (3,600 to 8,900 ft). 

There is lots of deforestation in the watery habitats in the northern Andes of Colombia and Ecuador. Fewer than 10 known dead Colombian weasels have been studied. It is could be the rarest carnivore in South America. Obviously, it is a vulnerable species.

It is the second-smallest living carnivore. The upperparts and tail are blackish-brown, while the underparts are orange-buff.

The first photo of a living Colombian weasel was taken in 2011 by an amateur naturalist who found one trapped in his parents' house; the weasel later escaped. The image was uploaded to iNaturalist in 2018. It gained widespread attention.

Description
Like all weasels, the Colombian weasel has a long body. Its average length is 22 cm (8.7 in). Its tail is 11.5 cm (4.5 in) long. It weighs between 120 and 150 g (4.2 and 5.3 oz). The Colombian weasel has a dark dorsal color. It also has a light orange color. The bottom of the feet does not have any fur. It has webbed feet that is found on the second, third, and fourth toes.

Like all weasels, the Colombian weasel is a carnivore. It mainly hunts fish, other small aquatic animals, and small  mammals.

References

Category:Mammals of South America
Category:Mustelids