Poecilogale albinucha, Thomas, 1883

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2009, Mustelidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 1 Carnivores, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 564-656 : 638

26.

African Striped Weasel

Poecilogale albinucha

French: Zorille a nugue blanche / German: Weil 3nackenwiesel / Spanish: Huron de nuca blanca

Taxonomy. Zorrilla albinucha Gray, 1865 ,

South Africa.

Monotypic.

Distribution. C & S Africa from Angola, PR Congo, DR Congo, Uganda, and Kenya to Eastern Cape

Descriptive notes. Head-body 27-33 cm (males), 24-32 cm (females), tail 13.8-20 cm (males), 14-15.8 cm (females); weight 283-380 g (males), 210-290 g (females), adult males are 35-50% heavier than females. The African Striped Weasel has a long body and short limbs. The pelage is black with contrasting dorsal white stripes; the white fur first divides into two lines, then into four distinct white to yellowish lines above the shoulders. The top of the head is white. The tail is long, brushy, and white. The feet are small, with sharp claws. There are two to three pairs of mammae. The skull is long and narrow, and the rostrum is short and broad. Dental formula: 13/3, C1/1,P 2/2, M 1/1 =28.

Habitat. African Striped Weasels are found in forests, savannahs, grasslands, pine plantations, and cultivated land. They can be found up to 2200 m, but are more common below 1500 m. In KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, questionnaire surveys revealed that 75% of sightings occurred in grasslands, 19% in young pine plantations, and 6% in cultivated land.

Food and Feeding. The diet mainly consists of small mammals, particularly rodents, but also includes reptiles, insects, and birds’ eggs. Out of twelve stomachs obtained in KwaZulu-Natal, six contained small mammals (Mastomys natalensis, Rhabdomys pumailio, and Mus minutoides). African Striped Weasels hunt by scent, with vision being used only in the last 50 cm. Their shape enables them to hunt inside the burrows of rodents. When prey is sighted, the weasel stops and then lunges at the prey; short chases may occur. In captivity, all prey were killed within seven minutes. Prey are seized by the back of the neck. African Striped Weasels do not shake the prey when attempting to kill; instead, they roll around and vigorously kick at the back of their victim, possibly dislocating the neck and immobilizing the prey. Although most killing bites are directed at the back of the head and the neck, females may use throat bites when killing large prey. In captivity, African Striped Weasels were unsuccessful in killing rats (Rattus) that were more than 108% the mass of the weasel. One weasel can consume 3-4 mice in a night, but surplus killing may occur. Prey may be cached for future consumption. Small mammals are eaten head first and are usually entirely consumed. Occasionally, the prey’s stomach and its contents are not eaten. The head,tail, legs, and dorsal skin of large rodents are typically not consumed.

Activity patterns. Mostly nocturnal, but activity may occur during the day. Rest sites are in holes, hollow logs, or within rock crevices. African Striped Weasels are powerful diggers and may dig their own dens.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. African Striped Weasels are mostly solitary, but pairs or small groups are observed (typically a female with young). Females tolerate the proximity of males only during the mating season.

Breeding. Mating occurs in spring or summer. Females give birth to a litter of two or three, after a gestation of 30 days. The young are born in a burrow and weigh around 4 g at birth. The eyes open after seven weeks and the canines erupt at 35 days. The young are fully mobile and weaned after eleven weeks; they start killing prey at 13 weeks. Adult size is reached at 20 weeks, and sexual maturity is attained after eight months. Females rear their young without the assistance of males.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern in The IUCN Red List. The African Striped Weasel is considered uncommon. Little is known about this species and field studies are needed to learn more about its natural history, ecology, and conservation status.

Bibliography. Ansell (1960a), Lariviére (2001c), Rowe-Rowe (1972, 1978a, 1978b, 1978c), Smithers & Chimimba (2005), Stuart (1981), Wozencraft (2005).

Figures

On following pages: 21. Lesser Grison (Galictis cuja); 22. Greater Grison (Galictis vittata), 23. Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna); 24. Saharan Striped Polecat (/ctonyx libycus); 25. Zorilla (Ictonyx striatus); 26. African Striped Weasel (Poecilogale albinucha).

Distribution. C & S Africa from Angola , PR Congo , DR Congo , Uganda , and Kenya to Eastern Cape