Summer pelaged weasels in winter: Indication of winter reproduction

Jon Hjortdal; Svein Olaf Dahl; Anne Karin Hufthammer

doi:10.5324/fn.v14i0.6042

Fauna Norvegica (Dec 1993)

Summer pelaged weasels in winter: Indication of winter reproduction

Jon Hjortdal,
Svein Olaf Dahl,
Anne Karin Hufthammer

Affiliations

Jon Hjortdal: Dept. of Animal Ecology, Zoological Institute, University of Bergen, Muséplass 3, NO-5007 Bergen, Norway
Svein Olaf Dahl: Dept. of Geology, Sec. B, Allégt. 41, NO-5007 Bergen, Norway
Anne Karin Hufthammer: Museum of Zoology, Zoological Institute, University of Bergen, Muséplass 3, NO-5007 Bergen, Norway

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5324/fn.v14i0.6042
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14

Abstract

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Two weasels Mustela nivalis (L.) were observed on April 4 and 18, 1992, respectively, in the western parts of Hardangervidda, southern Norway. The weasels were both in summer pelage (walnut brown above and white below), in a season when the weasel normally has a completely white coat. The first observed weasel was caught, and age-determination showed that it was born during the early winter months. Thus, summer pelaged weasels in winter are a strong indication of successful winter reproduction.

Published in Fauna Norvegica

ISSN: 1502-4873 (Print); 1891-5396 (Online)
Publisher: Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Country of publisher: Norway
LCC subjects: Science: Zoology
Website: http://www.ntnu.no/ojs/index.php/fauna_norvegica

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