Food Chain
Last Review/Updated: May 31, 2002
The
weasel family belongs to the Order Carnivora, "the meat-eaters." With
the exception of the river otter, all members of the weasel family
feed primarily on insects and small rodents. Their diet consists of
whatever meat they can obtain and may include birds and bird eggs.
As predators, they play an important role in the animal community. They live off the annual surplus of animals they prey upon. Generally, they capture those animals which are less fit to survive, usually the young, old, injured or sick. Predators also tend to hunt the most abundant prey, turning to another prey species if the numbers of the first become scarce. In this way, they seldom endanger the long-term welfare of the animal populations they prey upon.
The same agility and ferocity used in hunting is used for defence. Members of the weasel family have few natural enemies. People can be the greatest threat to their survival or, if we choose to manage them wisely, we can be their greatest benefactor.
Weasels are a vital and necessary component of Alberta's ecosystems. Their removal would drastically upset the "balance of nature;" we should be concerned with their future welfare.
