Tuesday, May 4, 2010

ласка


Sent by Viktorie from Moscow, Russia. This postcard shows a cute weasel.

This is from Wikipedia : Weasels are mammals forming the genus Mustela of the Mustelidae family. They are small, active predators, long and slender with short legs.

Weasels vary in length from 12 to 45 centimetres (5 to 18 in), and usually have a red or brown upper coat and a white belly; some populations of some species moult to a wholly white coat in winter. They have long slender bodies, which enable them to follow their prey into burrows. Their tails may be from 22 to 33 centimetres (9 to 13 in) long. As is typical of small carnivores, weasels have a reputation for cleverness and guile.

Weasels feed on small mammals, and have from time to time been considered[by whom?] vermin since some species took poultry from farms, or rabbits from commercial warrens. Certain species of weasel and ferrets have been reported[by whom?] to perform the mesmerizing weasel war dance, after fighting other creatures, or acquiring food from competing creatures. In folklore at least, this dance is particularly associated with the stoat.

Weasels occur all across the world except for Antarctica, Australia, and neighbouring islands.

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