Animals that look like weasels include Civets, Mink, Polecats, Badgers, and Mongoose.
Weasels are small, agile creatures that are closely related to otters and skunks. They have long, slender bodies and short legs, which make them well-suited for hunting in tight spaces. Weasels come in a variety of colors, but most are brown or black with a white underbelly. They are predators, and their diet consists largely of rodents, rabbits, and other small mammals.
There are many animals in the world that look like weasels. These animals share some of the same physical characteristics as weasels, such as small size, long bodies, and short tails. While they may share some similarities, each of these animals is unique in its own way. Let’s take a closer look at some of these animals that resemble weasels.
Examples of Animals that Look Like Weasels
1. African Civet
| Scientific Name | Civettictis civetta |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | southern and central Africa |
The African civet is a small, carnivorous mammal that is native to Africa. It is similar in appearance to a weasel, with a long body and short legs. The African civet can grow to be about 3 feet long and weigh up to 15 pounds.
2. American Mink
| Scientific Name | Neovison vison |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
The American mink is a small, furry animal that is native to North America. These animals are closely related to weasels and share many of the same physical characteristics.
American minks have long, slim bodies and short legs. Their tails are also short, and they have sharp claws that help them climb trees and catch prey. These animals are proficient swimmers and can often be found near rivers and lakes. American minks are typically brown or black in color, with some white patches on their belly and feet.
3. American Polecat
| Scientific Name | Mustela nigripes |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | central North America |
The American polecat is another animal that is closely related to weasels. These animals are found in North and South America and have many of the same physical characteristics as weasels. American polecats have long, slim bodies and short legs.
They also have short tails and sharp claws that help them climb trees and catch prey. These animals are typically brown or black in color, with some white patches on their belly and feet.
4. Asian Palm Civet
| Scientific Name | Paradoxurus hermaphroditus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka |
The Asian palm civet is a small mammal that looks like a cross between a cat and a weasel. It has a long body, short legs, and a bushy tail. Its fur is brown or black with white spots. The Asian palm civet is found in the forests of Asia.
5. Badgers
| Scientific Name | Taxidea Taxus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Great Plains |
Badgers are short-legged omnivores in the family Mustelidae. There are several species of badger, all of which share some physical similarities with weasels. Badgers have stocky bodies, short legs, and long, thick fur. They range in size from about 2 to 3 feet long and weigh between 10 and 30 pounds.
6. Banded Mongoose
| Scientific Name | Mungos mungo |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Africa |
The banded mongoose is a small mammal that can be found in Africa. These animals live in groups of up to 40 individuals and are known to be very social creatures. They are also proficient hunters, working together to take down their prey. Banded mongooses have long bodies and short tails, much like weasels. They also have a similar colored fur, with bands of light and dark hair running along their backs.
7. Black Mongoose
| Scientific Name | Galerella sanguinea |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Africa |
The black mongoose is found in Africa, and it is one of the few animals that is known to prey on snakes. It has a long body and short legs, and its fur is usually black or very dark brown.
8. Black‑Footed Ferret
| Scientific Name | Mustela nigripes |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana and Arizona |
The black‑footed ferret is a small mammal that is native to North America. This animal looks like a weasel and shares some of the same physical characteristics, such as its small size and long body. The black‑footed ferret is also similar to the weasel in its behavior, as it is a carnivore that preys on small mammals, such as rodents and rabbits.
9. Common Dwarf Mongoose
| Scientific Name | Helogale parvula |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Somalia and Ethiopia to eastern South Africa and Namibia |
The common dwarf mongoose is a small mammal that is found in Africa. These animals have long bodies and short tails, just like weasels. They also have brown fur with white spots on their backs. Common dwarf mongooses live in groups of up to 30 members.
10. Eastern Spotted Skunk
| Scientific Name | Spilogale putorius |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
The eastern spotted skunk is a small mammal that is native to North America. This animal has many of the same physical features as a weasel, including a long body and short tail. The eastern spotted skunk also has stripes running down its back, which sets it apart from other skunks.
11. Egyptian Mongoose
| Scientific Name | Herpestes ichneumon |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Africa |
The Egyptian mongoose is a small mammal that is native to Africa. It has a long body and a short tail, and it closely resembles a weasel in appearance. The Egyptian mongoose is an omnivore, meaning it feeds on both plants and animals.
12. European Mink
| Scientific Name | Mustela lutreola |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Eastern Europe (Romania, Russian Federation, Ukraine) and Spain and France |
The European mink is a small mammal that is found in Europe and Asia. This animal looks like a weasel, and it shares some of the same physical characteristics, such as small size and a long body. The European mink has a brown or black coat with white spots. It is an excellent swimmer and can be found near streams and rivers.
13. European Polecat
| Scientific Name | Mustela putorius |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North Africa and western Eurasia |
The European polecat is a member of the weasel family. It is found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. The European polecat has a brown or black fur coat with white markings on its face, chest, and belly. It is a small animal, measuring about 30 cm (12 in) long from nose to tail.
14. Fishers
| Scientific Name | Pekania pennanti |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
The fisher is a large weasel that is found in North America. These animals have long, slim bodies and short legs. They also have short tails and sharp claws that help them climb trees and catch prey. Fishers are proficient swimmers and can often be found near rivers and lakes. These animals are typically brown or black in color, with some white patches on their belly and feet.
15. Irish Stoat
| Scientific Name | Mustela erminea hibernica |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Ireland |
The Irish stoat is a small mammal that is found in Ireland and parts of Great Britain. This animal has a reddish-brown coat with a white underside. It is closely related to the weasel and shares many of the same physical characteristics. The Irish stoat is a carnivore that feeds on small mammals, birds, and insects.
16. Malayan Civet
| Scientific Name | Viverra tangalunga |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines |
The Malayan civet is a small, carnivorous mammal native to Southeast Asia. It has a long body and tail, and its fur is dark brown with lighter spots. The Malayan civet is an excellent tree climber, and it feeds on small animals such as rodents and birds.
17. Marsh Mongoose
| Scientific Name | Atilax paludinosus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | sub-Saharan Africa |
The marsh mongoose is a small mammal that is found in Africa. This animal has a long body and a short tail. It is also known for its webbed feet, which help it swim in water. The marsh mongoose is an opportunistic eater and will eat anything it can find, including rodents, reptiles, and amphibians.
18. Masked Palm Civet
| Scientific Name | Paguma larvata |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | southern and Southeast-Asia |
The masked palm civet is a small mammal that is found in tropical forests across Southeast Asia. This animal has a long, slender body and a short tail. It is brown or black in color, and its face is marked with a white “mask” around the eyes. The masked palm civet feeds on insects, small mammals, and fruits.
19. Meerkat
| Scientific Name | Suricata suricatta |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Africa |
The meerkat is a small mammal that is native to Africa. These animals are closely related to mongooses and share many of the same physical characteristics, including a long body and short tail. Meerkats are typically around a foot in length and weigh between two and four pounds. They have brown fur with light markings on their faces and backs. Meerkats live in social groups and are known for their ability to stand upright on their hind legs.
20. Otter Civet
| Scientific Name | Cynogale bennettii |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Southeast Asia and Indonesia |
The otter civet is a small mammal that is found in Southeast Asia. It has a long, slender body and a short tail. Its fur is dark brown or black, and its underside is lighter in color. The otter civet is an excellent swimmer and can often be seen fishing in rivers and streams.
21. Otters
| Scientific Name | Lutrinae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
Otters are a type of mammal that is closely related to weasels. They have long, slim bodies and short legs. Their fur is thick and waterproof, which helps them to stay warm in the water. Otters live in freshwater habitats all over the world.
22. Pine Martens
| Scientific Name | Martes martes |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Canada, Alaska, and parts of the northern United States |
Pine martens are members of the weasel family. They are small animals with long, slender bodies and short tails. Pine martens have brown fur with a yellowish tinge. They are found in wooded areas of Europe and Asia.
23. Polecat-Ferret
| Scientific Name | Mustela putorius furo |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Wales and much of central and southern England |
The polecat-ferret is a small, carnivorous mammal that is native to Europe. It is closely related to the weasel and shares many of the same physical characteristics. The polecat-ferret has a long, slender body and a short tail. It is usually brown or black in color with white markings on its face and chest. The polecat-ferret is an excellent hunter and is known for its ability to kill rabbits and other small mammals.
24. Small Indian Civet
| Scientific Name | Viverricula indica |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | South and Southeast Asia |
The small Indian civet is a native of Southeast Asia. It has a long, slender body and a short tail. The small Indian civet is an omnivore, meaning it feeds on both plants and animals.
25. Steppe Polecat
| Scientific Name | Mustela eversmanii |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Europe and Asia |
The steppe polecat is a small, predatory mammal that is found in Europe and Asia. This animal looks like a cross between a weasel and a ferret. It has a long, slender body, short legs, and a long, black-tipped tail. The steppe polecat is an excellent hunter and is known for preying on small rodents and birds.
26. Striped Skunk
| Scientific Name | Mephitis mephitis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America from southern Canada into northern Mexico |
The striped skunk is a small mammal that is found in North and South America. This animal is easily recognizable by its black and white fur, which is used to ward off predators. The skunk’s diet consists of small mammals, insects, and fruits.
27. Stoats
| Scientific Name | Mustela erminea |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America, Europe, and Asia |
The stoat, also known as the ermine, is a member of the weasel family. It is a small animal with a long, slender body and short legs. The fur of the stoat is brown in summer and white in winter. Stoats are found in Europe, Asia, and North America.
28. Wolverines
| Scientific Name | Gulo gulo |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Canada and Alaska |
Wolverines are one of the largest members of the weasel family. They are found in the northern hemisphere and are known for their strength and tenacity. Wolverines have thick fur that helps them survive in cold climates. They also have powerful claws that they use to climb trees and hunt prey.
29. Yellow Mongoose
| Scientific Name | Cynictis penicillata |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Africa |
The yellow mongoose is a small mammal that is native to Africa. It has a body that is similar in size and shape to a weasel, as well as a long tail. The fur of the yellow mongoose is yellow or orange in color, with darker stripes running along its back.
Conclusion
Animals that look like weasels are typically found in North America, Asia, and Africa. Some animals may be similar to a weasel while others have similarities with cats as well. They generally range from 1-3 feet long and weigh between 10-30 pounds or more depending on the species. Many of these creatures live near lakes and rivers where they hunt for fish, amphibians, and rodents.
The most common type of animal that looks like a weasel is the mink. Minks are small, carnivorous members of the mustelid family which also includes otters, badgers, and wolverines.
These animals have long, slim bodies with short legs and webbed feet. Their fur is thick and lustrous, ranging in color from black to brown or silver-gray. Minks are excellent swimmers and climbers and are very active hunters.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.