39.

Amazon Weasel

Mustela africana

French: Belette des tropiques / German: Amazonas-Wiesel / Spanish: Comadreja amazonica

Other common names: Tropical Weasel

Taxonomy. Mustela africana Desmarest, 1818,

Brazil.

Monotypic.

Distribution. Amazon Basin in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 24-38 cm, tail 16-21 cm. The Amazon Weasel has a long, slender body and short limbs. The pelage is reddish to dark brown, with paler undersides. The underparts have a longitudinal median stripe of the same color as the upper parts. The tail is uniformly brown. The plantar surfaces on the feet are nearly naked.

Habitat. Has been reported from primary forest and humid riparian habitats.

Food and Feeding. Nothing known.

Activity pattern. Possibly diurnal: a group of four were seen around 10:00 h. Has been found denning in a hollow tree stump.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Said to be primarily terrestrial, but also reported to be a good swimmer and climber. Has been seen in a group offour.

Breeding. Nothing known.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern in The IUCN Red List. One of the least known species within the Mustelidae. Amazon Weasels are a high priority for field studies to learn more about their natural history, ecology, and conservation status.

Bibliography. Ferrari & Lopes (1992), zor & de la Torre (1978), Wozencraft (2005).