Weasel Tracks: Identification Guide for Snow, Mud, and More

Written by Niccoy Walker
Updated: May 13, 2023
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Animal tracking is an ancient skill. Our ancestors were experts in tracking because it’s how they fed their families and protected them from danger. The world today is different, but we still use many of the same skills we always have. Even if you don’t hunt for your food, you still may be curious to know what creatures pass through your property, whether big or small. For instance, what critter has been rummaging in your garbage cans every night and leaving a trail of footprints? Or maybe you have something digging holes all over your backyard. Whatever your reason for needing to identify a set of prints, check out this identification guide for weasel tracks. And learn how they differ in from snow and mud.

Weasel Overview

Weasel

Weasels are carnivores who hunt at night and in the early morning hours.

©Ghost Bear/Shutterstock.com

There are three species of weasels in North America: long-tailed, short-tailed, and least weasels. But long-tailed weasels tend to be the most common. They are the largest of the native North American weasels, featuring a long, tube-like body, a long tail, and short legs. They also have rounded ears, long necks, and relatively small heads. And their coloring can range from brown, black, white, and gray. These creatures from the Mustelidae family are carnivores who hunt at night and in the early morning hours. You will most often find them alone, as they are solitary hunters. And despite their size, they are effective predators due to their speed and agility.

Weasel Distribution

The location of weasels depends largely upon their species. The least weasels can be found throughout Canada and most of the Northern United States, except in the West. In the East, they range as far south as Georgia.

The short-tailed weasel lives throughout Canada, Alaska, and the Northwestern United States. And the long-tailed weasel lives in Southern Canada and most of the United States and Mexico. However, they are absent from parts of the Southwest, such as most of Arizona and Southeast California.

How Do You Know If You Have a Weasel in Your Yard?

mink vs weasel

The best way to tell if you have a weasel on your property is to check for burrow holes in areas of thick undergrowth and tall grass.

©Stephan Morris/Shutterstock.com

Weasels are attracted to property with abundant food and water, as are most creatures. But they absolutely love chicken coops, where they steal eggs. And they are also attracted to freshwater sources, like creeks and ponds. They regularly hide in tall grass and shrubs and are known for digging through trash if the can is left askew. The best way to tell if you have a weasel on your property is to check for burrow holes in areas of thick undergrowth and tall grass. The holes will be narrow and round, about three inches in diameter. You can also look for scat, which appears dark, long, skinny, and twisted. The droppings will also be tapered at both ends, and they are often left near their burrow openings.

But, of course, one of the best ways to determine if you have a weasel wreaking havoc on your yard is to check for weasel tracks. 

Identification Guide for Weasel Tracks

Weasel Paw Morphology

CharacteristicDescription
Size½ to 1.5 inches long and ½ to 1 inch wide
ShapeElongated and oval-shaped
FeaturesFront paws show four digits, hind paws show five digits; digits surround a V-shaped pad
ClawsOccasionally visible

Weasels have pentadactyl paws, meaning each paw has five toes with non-retractable claws. Their prints will be pretty small, as they are relatively small creatures. Each clawed toe surrounds a V-shaped pad. While overall small, the tracks will be elongated, oval-shaped, and produce claw marks. And though each paw has five digits, the front feet will typically only show four toes, while the hind feet will show five. They also leave a dragging mark in-between prints, which is a characteristic weasel gait. Weasels also tend to zig-zag and meander as they move from one burrow to another, stopping to look for predators and find food.

Weasel Tracks in Snow, mud, and more

ermine tracks in the snow

Identifying weasel tracks in the snow can be difficult. They are hard to find, and they change their gait, especially in deep snow.

©Deb Anderson/Shutterstock.com

The best time to check for weasel tracks is in the early morning hours or late evening. Their tracks will wander as they move from one rodent den to another. And they will stop often to listen for predators. 

Identifying weasel tracks in the snow can be difficult. They are hard to find, and they change their gait, especially in deep snow. You may spot tracks that have a 2X2 gait, meaning both front paws and back paws will be placed together, and the back paws will be placed in the hind paw’s place as they move forward. But this gait can resemble other animals that also feature this walk in deep snow, such as fishers.

Tracks from a member of the weasel family (Nebraska 2019)

Weasels tend to zig-zag and meander as they move from one burrow to another, stopping to look for predators and find food.

©Amanda Schell/Shutterstock.com

Weasel tracks are much easier to discern in mud, sand, or a light dusting of snow. You will clearly make out the digits, the V-shaped pad, and possibly the claws. Determining the type of weasel can be the most challenging, though. The long-tailed weasel is the largest weasel species found in North America, so naturally, their paw size will be on the higher end of the size range, around 1.5 inches long. Least weasels are the smallest and will feature a size closer to ½ inch long.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Agami Photo Agency/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Niccoy is a professional writer for A-Z Animals, and her primary focus is on birds, travel, and interesting facts of all kinds. Niccoy has been writing and researching about travel, nature, wildlife, and business for several years and holds a business degree from Metropolitan State University in Denver. A resident of Florida, Niccoy enjoys hiking, cooking, reading, and spending time at the beach.

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