Thai National Parks

Species of Thailand

Yellow-bellied weasel

Mustela kathiah

Brian Houghton Hodgson, 1835

In Thai: เพียงพอนท้องเหลือง

The yellow-bellied weasel (Mustela kathiah) is a species of weasel. It lives in the pine forests of Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. The yellow-bellied weasel is rated "Least Concern" by the IUCN Red List. The yellow-bellied weasel is named for its yellow-colored underbelly. The top of its body and the tail are dark brown. Yellow-bellied weasels have a body length of 9.8-10.6 inches (25–27 cm.) and a tail length of 4.9-5.9 inches (12.5–15 cm.). The tail is about half the length of the body. Yellow-bellied weasels weigh approximately 3.3 pounds (1.5 kg.).

Yellow-bellied weasels eat birds, mice, rats, voles, and other small mammals.

Researchers believe that the reproductive behavior of the yellow-bellied weasel is similar to that of the short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea). Yellow-bellied weasels first build a den in the ground. Breeding occurs annually. Mating occurs in late spring or early summer. Females are pregnant for about ten months. The female gives birth to 3-18 kits in April or May. By the time the kits are eight weeks old, they are ready to go out and hunt on their own.

There are two subspecies of the yellow-bellied weasel:

  • Mustela kathiah caporiaccoi
  • Mustela kathiah kathiah

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Site notes

A photo posted to Wildlife Thailand Forum proofs this species found in Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary which is outside the known range in Thailand.

Scientific classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Mustelidae
Genus
Mustela
Species
Mustela kathiah

Common names

  • German: Gelbbauchwiesel
  • English: Yellow-bellied weasel
  • Spanish:
    • Comadreja de vientre amarillo
    • Comadreja china
  • French:
    • Belette à ventre jaune
    • Mustela kathiah
    • Cataquil
  • Italian: Donnola dal ventre giallo
  • Dutch: Geelbuikwezel
  • Russian: Желтобрюхая ласка
  • Thai: เพียงพอนท้องเหลือง

Conservation status

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Photos

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Yellow-bellied weasel distribution

Range Map

Distribution map of Yellow-bellied weasel, Mustela kathiah in Thailand
  • Doi Inthanon National Park
  • Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park
  • Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Taksin Maharat National Park
  • Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary
Range map of Mustela kathiah in Thailand