New Roommate

Rob & I discovered last weekend that a least weasel has moved in.  It likely has been living with us for a week or more as there were signs that it was around (ex. hard cat food spread like something was digging in it) although we generally thought it was the usual culprits - mice.

We first viewed the weasel last weekend when Slurry went to eat at the same time as it and the weasel squeaked loudly at Slurry. It is living in the walls and following the mouse tunnels so it will peak its head out of the ceiling by the fridge. It is in the midst of its color change which is triggered by the decrease in daylight. Some of the pictures below were taken with a camera while the others were taken with a trail camera. The weasel is not shy and extremely cute...

It is adorable!

What is the plan for them? Are they staying or will they be encouraged to move to new location?

We left a door open for an afternoon when we first discovered the weasel.  I think we plan to leave it alone and hope that it deters mice from living in our home.  Reading online, one person stated he encouraged least weasels to stay in his cabins for the winter as it decreased the number of mouse traps he has to set and he had no issue with them.  On the trail cam I set up today I captured pics showing a mouse grabbing food from the cat food dish which shows that the weasel has more hunting to do...

Where is the weasel living in the house?

In the walls - sometimes it pokes it head out from a crack near the ceiling. I guess it lives where the mice (used to?) live.

Glad to see these pictures...and I agree he or she's extremely cute! I assume it will spend the winter with you, so many I'll see it some time I'm over...

Marc Sudbury, you are right she/he looks really very cute and I think will enjoy winter in Steff house. LOL