Differences Between Weasels and Martens
The weasel, whose scientific name is the Siberian weasel and which is also known as the yellow wolf or yellow skin, is a small carnivorous animal of the genus Mustela in the family Mustelidae, inhabiting plains, marshes, river valleys, villages, cities and mountainous areas. The marten, also known as the marten rat, has many species, most of which live in trees; in China it is mainly produced in the Northeast region, and in appearance it is somewhat similar to the weasel. Let us take a look below at the differences between weasels and martens!
Differences in Family and Genus Between Weasels and Martens
1. Weasel: The weasel is a mammal of the animal kingdom, phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Mammalia, subclass Eutheria, order Carnivora, suborder Caniformia, family Mustelidae, subfamily Mustelinae, genus Mustela.
2. Marten: The marten is a mammal of the animal kingdom, phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Mammalia, subclass Eutheria, order Carnivora, mammal, family Mustelidae, subfamily Mustelinae, genus Martes.
Differences in Appearance Between Weasels and Martens
1. Weasel: The weasel has a body length of 28-40 cm, a tail length of 12-25 cm, and a body weight of 210-1200 grams. It is medium in size with a slender body. The head is slender and the neck is relatively long. The ear flaps are short and wide, protruding slightly from the fur. The tail length is about half the body length. In winter the tail hair is long and fluffy; in summer and autumn the fur is thin, and the tail hair does not spread out. The limbs are relatively short, all with 5 toes, the claws at the ends of the toes are sharp, and there is a very small web between the toes. The anal glands are well developed. The base of the penis bone in the male is swollen into a nodular shape, and the tip is hook-shaped.
2. Marten: The marten is about the size of a domestic cat, but more slender, with short, sturdy limbs, and a body weight of 1000-1500 grams, with some individuals reaching 2000 grams. It has well-developed anal sacs, and the anal sac glands can produce secretions with a special odor. It has no cecum and a very short small intestine (four times the body length), and the stomach is also very small. Most are light brown and dark brown, and captive-bred ones are mostly dark brown.
Differences in Distribution Between Weasels and Martens
1. Weasel: The weasel inhabits mountains and plains, and is found at forest edges, in river valleys, in thickets and on grassy hills, and also often appears near villages. It lives in stone caves, tree holes or under fallen logs. It is distributed in Bhutan, China, India, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam and other places.
2. Marten: The marten is suited to living in cold climates, likes quiet, and is mostly solitary. It molts twice a year, has a varied diet, and its main food is fish. It is mainly produced in Alaska in the United States in North America, eastern Canada, Northeast China in Asia, Mongolia, Siberia in Russia and other places.
Differences in Protection Status Between Weasels and Martens
1. Weasel: The weasel preys on rodents in large numbers and is the natural enemy of harmful rodents. It has been listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2008 Red List of Threatened Species ver3.1——Least Concern (LC).
2. Marten: The marten is a key protected animal, and killing it is strictly prohibited, as is keeping it privately. The sable has now been listed as a first-class protected animal, and hunting sables is strictly prohibited.