Head to head
Patagonian Weasel vs Least Weasel
The Patagonian weasel and least weasel are both small mustelids, but one remains almost entirely unstudied while the other is among the most thoroughly documented carnivores alive.
| Patagonian Weasel | Least Weasel | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Lyncodon patagonicus | Mustela nivalis |
| How well studied | One of the least-studied carnivores | One of the best-studied carnivores |
| Native range | Patagonia, Argentina and Chile | Across the Northern Hemisphere |
| Daily food need | Not documented | A quarter to a third of body weight |
| Record held | None comparable | Smallest carnivore in the world |
| Conservation status | Data Deficient | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Unknown | Stable |
| Habitat | Grassland, desert | Grassland, forest |
Patagonian Weasel vs Least Weasel: common questions
Why is the Patagonian weasel classified as Data Deficient, unlike the least weasel?
The Patagonian weasel is so rarely observed in the wild that scientists still know very little about its basic behaviour or population size, while the least weasel is one of the most thoroughly studied small carnivores in the world.
Which species holds the title of smallest carnivore, the Patagonian weasel or the least weasel?
The least weasel holds that title, recognised as the smallest carnivore in the world, while the Patagonian weasel's exact size relative to other small mustelids is less precisely documented due to how rarely it is observed.
Do the Patagonian weasel and least weasel live in the same region?
No, the Patagonian weasel is restricted to the grassland and scrubland of Patagonia in South America, while the least weasel is found much more widely across the Northern Hemisphere.