African striped weasel

The African striped weasel (Poecilogale albinucha), also known as the white-naped weasel, striped weasel or African weasel, is a small mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa, where its range stretches from as far north as Kenya down south to South Africa. It belongs in the family Mustelidae and is the lone member of the genus Poecilogale, which was named in 1883 by Oldfield Thomas. It has a long, slender body with short legs and a bushy tail. One of the smallest carnivorans in Africa, it measures 24 to 35 cm (9.4 to 13.8 in) long excluding the tail, with males generally growing larger than females. It has black fur over most of its body, with distinctive white bands running from the top of its head down the length of its back, with the tail being completely white. Genetic analysis has revealed that the closest living relative of this species is the striped polecat, and a prehistoric animal named Propoecilogale bolti known from fossils may be the ancestor of the African striped weasel.

Occurring in a wide range of habitats, the African striped weasel is most commonly seen in savanna and veld grasslands with termite mounds, but has also been recorded in semideserts, rainforests, fynbos and even areas used by humans such as pine plantations and agricultural land. It is a powerful digger and excavates burrows which it inhabits when not hunting for prey. Though not commonly seen, it has been listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List since 1996 because of its wide range and habitat tolerance. There are no known major threats to the species, though it is commonly used in local traditional medicine. Owls and domestic dogs are known to prey on it, and weasels sometimes die in fights against each other. It generally flees from any perceived threats, but if this is not possible, it may try warding off its attacker with noises, fake charges or a noxious fluid sprayed from its perineal glands.

African striped weasels are specialized predators that feed almost entirely on rodents, and will enter their burrows to catch them, though they occasionally eat birds as well. Even when hungry, it ignores other types of small animals and eggs provided to it as food. It commonly bites its prey in the back of the neck while rolling around or kicking the prey's back, likely in attempt to dislocate the neck. Larger prey may instead be dispatched with bites to the throat, though only females have been observed doing this. It rarely drinks water, only doing so in small quantities when the weather is hot, instead obtaining most of the moisture it needs through its food. It is mostly a nocturnal and solitary animal, though small groups of up to four individuals are sometimes seen. Breeding takes place from spring to the end of summer, and females tend to give birth to two to three young per litter after a gestation period of about 30 days. The newborn young are pink and almost hairless, with closed eyes and ears, and are cared for by their mother with no assistance from their father.