Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests
Crooked River National Grassland

Mammals

Weasels (Mustelids)

Fifty-four species of weasel occur worldwide, nine of which occur in Oregon. Of the family known as the musteleleds, weasels can be found in a variety of central Oregon habitats, ranging from the Cascade Mountain crest to the desert scrublands. Species occurring in central Oregon include, the weasel, otter, wolverine, mink, fisher, and marten. Weasels are small to medium sized carnivores with short muzzles, short legs with five toes on each foot, highly developed anal scent glands, and small rounded ears. All species of the weasel family are predators, preying upon terrestrial vertebrates or aquatic species. Although many species of the weasel family are active during daylight hours, otters and weasels tend to be nocturnal.

The following weasels are found in Central Oregon:

American Badger (Taxidea taxus)

RANGE: Across western and midwestern U.S. and central Canada.

STATUS: Not a protected species

HABITAT: Open grasslands and desert.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Require habitat where prey are abundant, and soil conditions favor rapid excavation.

BREEDING: Two to five young born February - May.

FOOD: Small rodents, reptiles, birds, insects, seeds, roots, and plant material when animal prey are scarce.

IN CENTRAL OREGON: Open, arid locations, from low desert valleys to high alpine areas.

REFERENCES: Burt 1952.

American Marten (Martes americana)

RANGE: Across Alaska and Canada south into the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain area.

STATUS: A species of special concern

HABITAT: Forested areas in the west, cedar swamps in the east, forests with closed canopies are preferred, but will venture through canopy openings into subalpine zones.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Needs hollow logs or trees for denning and down wood or tree stumps to allow under-snow access for winter hunting.

BREEDING: Two to four young born in April.

FOOD: An opportunistic feeder that eats primarily small mammals including squirrels and rodents. Occasionally birds, fruit, nuts, insects, and carrion will be eaten as well. The main killing technique consists of a quick, powerful bite to the back of the neck.

IN CENTRAL OREGON: Occurs in Crook, Jefferson, Wasco,Deschutes, and Klamath counties

REFERENCES: Burt 1952, Verts and Carraway 2002, Cstui et.al. 2001

Ermine (Short-tailed Weasel) (Mustela erminea)

RANGE: Northern Canada, Greenland, Northern Eurasia, in Oregon occurs in all habitat types throughout the entire desert.

STATUS: Not protected

HABITAT: Meadows, fields, brushy areas and open woods, ermine prefers the forest edge rather than the interior.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Requires hollow logs, spaces beneath rocks, or abandoned dens from other animals for dens.

BREEDING: Three - ten young may be born any month of the year.

FOOD: Mice, small chipmunks, voles, and shrews.

IN CENTRAL OREGON: Occurs in Crook, Jefferson, and Klamath counties.

REFERENCES: Burt 1952, Verts and Carraway 2002, Cstui et. al. 2001

Fisher (Martes pennanti)

RANGE: Across Canada and south into the Pacific Northwest.

STATUS: Rare and possibly declining.

HABITAT: Mixed hardwood forests; old growth mixed conifer forest in the Pacific Northwest.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Fishers select for forests with continuous cover, or areas with high canopy closure.

BREEDING: One - four young born in March - April.

FOOD: Porcupines, small mammals.

IN CENTRAL OREGON: Carivorous, feeds on, porcupines, small mammals, and deer carcasses are a favored carrion.

REFERENCES: Burt 1952, Verts and Carraway 2002

Long-tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata)

RANGE: Across most of the lower 48 states, north into southwestern Canada and south into Mexico. In Oregon Long-tailed weasel is distributed throughout the state and are found in a variety of habitats from early seral to late seral stage environments.

STATUS: Not a protected species

HABITAT: All habitats near water.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Riparian areas with high concentrations of rodents

BREEDING: Four - eight young born April - May.

FOOD: Primarily small mammals, including mice, rats, chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, and moles.

IN CENTRAL OREGON: Occurs throughout all of central Oregon.

REFERENCES: Burt 1952, Verts and Carraway 2002

Mink (Mustela vison)

RANGE: Found across North America, except for southwestern U.S.

STATUS: Not a protected species

HABITAT: Stream and lakeshores, the semiaquatic mink may be found only near water.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Aquatic habitat

BREEDING: Two - six young born April - May.

FOOD: Small mammals, birds, eggs, frogs, crayfish, and fish.

IN CENTRAL OREGON: Found in suitable habitat throughout central Oregon.

REFERENCES: Burt 1952, Cstui et.al 2001

Northern River Otter (Lutra canadensis)

RANGE: Found across most of North America, except for some southwestern U.S. areas.

STATUS: Not a protected species.

HABITAT: Stream and lakeshores.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Permanent sources of water.

BREEDING: Usually two young born April - May.

FOOD: Fish, frogs and crayfish.

IN CENTRAL OREGON: Found in suitable habitat throughout central Oregon

REFERENCES: Burt 1952, Cstui et.al 2001

Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)

RANGE: Across Canada, south throughout the lower 48 states and into northern Mexico.

STATUS: Not protected

HABITAT: Generally within 2 miles of water in semi-open areas, mixed woods, brushland and open prairie.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: A generalist in terms of habitat.

BREEDING: Generally 5 - 6 young born in May.

FOOD: Mice, eggs, insects, grubs, berries, and carrion.

IN CENTRAL OREGON: Found in Klamath, Deschutes, and Wasco counties

REFERENCES: Burt 1952, Verts and Carraway 2002

Western Spotted Skunk (Spilogale gracilis)

RANGE: Across much of the lower 48 states into Baja California and Mexico; not known in the northeastern states.

STATUS: Not protected

HABITAT: Brushy or open wooded areas, riparian areas, rocky locations and prairies.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Generalist in terms of habitat requirements.

BREEDING: Four to seven young born May - June.

FOOD: Mice, birds, eggs, insects, carrion, and some vegetation.

IN CENTRAL OREGON: Occurs in Klamath, Crook, Jefferson, and Wasco counties.

REFERENCES: Burt 1952, Verts and Carraway 2002

Wolverine (Gulo gulo)

RANGE: The wolverine is found throughout all northern regions of the globe. The Wolverine is restricted to isolated wilderness in the United States, In Oregon Wolverine have been reported in Linn county, Crook county, Harney, and Deschutes county.

STATUS: Threatened specie

HABITAT: Generally wilderness areas; found in high mountains near the timberline and onto the tundra in the north.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Wolverine occupy a remote, expansive areas with limited human disturbance.

BREEDING: Litter of 2-3 born February - May; usually one litter every 2-3 years.

FOOD: Any available meat, feeds heavily on carrion.

IN CENTRAL OREGON: Occurs in remote wilderness in Linn,Crook,Harney,and Deschutes county.

REFERENCES: Burt 1952, Verts and Carraway 2002