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Long-tailed Weasel

Neogale frenata

Mammal · family Mustelidae · order Carnivora

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
49 states[3]
Typical length
22 in[4]

The Long-tailed Weasel (Neogale frenata) is a small meat-eating mammal in the family Mustelidae[5]. It is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act and NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) worldwide[2][1].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Long-tailed Weasel a global rank of G5 (Secure) and a United States rank of N5 (Secure)[2][6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. The species is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS data checked on 2026-10-30[1]. NatureServe also gives each state its own rank, and these vary[8].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5 (Secure)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern

Where Long-tailed Weasel lives

NatureServe lists the Long-tailed Weasel as native in 49 US states and territories[3]. These include Alabama, California, Florida, Maine, Montana, Texas and Washington, along with the District of Columbia[3]. The state list shows where NatureServe records the species. It does not promise you will see one there[3].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: native, state rank S5MEWisconsin: native, state rank S4WIVermont: native, state rank S3VTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S5NHWashington: native, state rank S5WAIdaho: native, state rank S5IDMontana: native, state rank S5MTNorth Dakota: native, state rank S4NDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRMNIllinois: native, state rank S4ILMichigan: native, state rank S5MINew York: native, state rank S5NYMassachusetts: native, state rank S5MAOregon: native, state rank S5ORNevada: native, state rank S5NVWyoming: native, state rank S5WYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S5SDIowa: native, state rank S4IAIndiana: native, state rank S4INOhio: native, state rank SNROHPennsylvania: native, state rank S5PANew Jersey: native, state rank S5NJConnecticut: native, state rank S5CTRhode Island: native, state rank S4RICalifornia: native, state rank SNRCAUtah: native, state rank S4UTColorado: native, state rank S5CONebraska: native, state rank S2NEMissouri: native, state rank S3MOKentucky: native, state rank S4KYWest Virginia: native, state rank S4WVVirginia: native, state rank S5VAMaryland: native, state rank S5MDDelaware: native, state rank S5DEArizona: native, state rank S4AZNew Mexico: native, state rank S4NMKansas: native, state rank S2KSArkansas: native, state rank S3ARTennessee: native, state rank S5TNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S3NCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S2SCDistrict of Columbia: native, state rank S3DCOklahoma: native, state rank S3OKLouisiana: native, state rank S2LAMississippi: native, state rank S3MSAlabama: native, state rank S3ALGeorgia: native, state rank S3GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S5TXFlorida: native, state rank S5FLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[8].
Show state ranks (49 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS3Vulnerable
ArizonaS4Apparently Secure
ArkansasS3Vulnerable
CaliforniaSNRNot Ranked
ColoradoS5Secure
ConnecticutS5Secure
DelawareS5Secure
District of ColumbiaS3Vulnerable
FloridaS5Secure
GeorgiaS3Vulnerable
IdahoS5Secure
IllinoisS4Apparently Secure
IndianaS4Apparently Secure
IowaS4Apparently Secure
KansasS2Imperiled
KentuckyS4Apparently Secure
LouisianaS2Imperiled
MaineS5Secure
MarylandS5Secure
MassachusettsS5Secure
MichiganS5Secure
MinnesotaSNRNot Ranked
MississippiS3Vulnerable
MissouriS3Vulnerable
MontanaS5Secure
NebraskaS2Imperiled
NevadaS5Secure
New HampshireS5Secure
New JerseyS5Secure
New MexicoS4Apparently Secure
New YorkS5Secure
North CarolinaS3Vulnerable
North DakotaS4Apparently Secure
OhioSNRNot Ranked
OklahomaS3Vulnerable
OregonS5Secure
PennsylvaniaS5Secure
Rhode IslandS4Apparently Secure
South CarolinaS2Imperiled
South DakotaS5Secure
TennesseeS5Secure
TexasS5Secure
UtahS4Apparently Secure
VermontS3Vulnerable
VirginiaS5Secure
WashingtonS5Secure
West VirginiaS4Apparently Secure
WisconsinS4Apparently Secure
WyomingS5Secure

Habitat

NatureServe records many habitat types for this weasel, including hardwood, conifer and mixed forest, shrubland, grassland, old fields, desert and cropland hedgerows[9]. It also records wetlands, bogs and fens, and riparian areas[9]. The notes say it is usually found near water and handles being close to people[10]. It dens in burrows left by other mammals, rock crevices, brush piles, stump hollows or spaces among tree roots[10].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[9]

Size and diet

The Long-tailed Weasel is a carnivore that feeds mostly on small mammals[11][12]. It sometimes eats birds, other small vertebrates and insects[12]. NatureServe records a typical length of 55 cm (22 in)[4]. It records a typical adult weight of 267 g[13]. Litters hold 1 to 12 young, and the average is 4 to 7[14]. Young are weaned starting at about 5 weeks[14].

Trait Value
Typical length[4] 55 cm (22 in)
Typical adult weight[13] 267 g (9.4 oz)
Food habits[11] Carnivore
Migration[15] non-migrant

When to look for it

NatureServe records this weasel as nocturnal (active at night) and crepuscular (active around dawn and dusk)[16]. It is mainly active at night but is often seen in daytime[17]. It is recorded as a non-migrant, though populations can differ[15]. Breeding happens in July and August, and in the north one litter is born in April and May[14].

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Long-tailed Weasel as present in 1 park units[18]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

Questions people ask

Is the Long-tailed Weasel endangered?
No. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) globally and N5 (Secure) in the United States[2][6].
Where does the Long-tailed Weasel live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 49 US states and territories[3]. It uses many habitats, usually near water[10].
What does the Long-tailed Weasel eat?
It is a carnivore that feeds mainly on small mammals[11][12]. It occasionally eats birds, other small vertebrates and insects[12].
How big is a Long-tailed Weasel?
NatureServe records a typical length of 55 cm (22 in)[4]. It records a typical adult weight of 267 g[13].
When is the Long-tailed Weasel active?
It is mainly active at night and around dawn and dusk, but it is often seen in daytime[16][17].

Facts and sources

  1. Long-tailed Weasel is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Long-tailed Weasel: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Long-tailed Weasel as native in 49 US states and territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 55 cm (22 in). NatureServe Explorer
  5. Long-tailed Weasel (Neogale frenata) is a mammal in the family Mustelidae, order Carnivora. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. NatureServe state ranks for Long-tailed Weasel (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  9. Habitat types NatureServe records for Long-tailed Weasel: Forest - hardwood, Forest - conifer, Forest - mixed, Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Shrubland/chaparral, Grassland/herbaceous, Old field, Desert, Cropland/hedgerow,... NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe notes on habitat for Long-tailed Weasel. NatureServe Explorer
  11. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Carnivore. NatureServe Explorer
  12. NatureServe notes on food for Long-tailed Weasel. NatureServe Explorer
  13. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 267 g (9.4 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Long-tailed Weasel. NatureServe Explorer
  15. NatureServe migration category for Long-tailed Weasel: non-migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  16. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Nocturnal, Crepuscular. NatureServe Explorer
  17. NatureServe notes on phenology for Long-tailed Weasel. NatureServe Explorer
  18. NPSpecies park lists recording Long-tailed Weasel as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.