Editing Long-tailed weasel (section)

==Description==
The long-tailed weasel is one of the larger [[weasel]]s (comprising both ''Neogale'' and ''Mustela'') in [[North America]]. There is substantial disagreement both on the upper end of their size and difference in size by sex by source: one indicates a body length of {{convert|300|–|350|mm|in|abbr=on}} and a tail comprising 40–70% of the head and body length. It adds that in most populations, females are 10–15% smaller than males,<ref name="f651">{{Harvnb|Feldhamer|Thompson|Chapman|2003|p=651}}</ref> thus making them about the same size as large male [[stoat]]s, according to a second source.<ref name="p280">{{Harvnb|Merritt|Matinko|1987|p=280}}</ref> A third states they range from 11 to 22 inches (280–560&nbsp;mm) in length, with the tail measuring an additional 3 to 6 inches (80–150&nbsp;mm). It maintains the long-tailed weasel weighs between 3 and 9 ounces (85-267 g) with males being about twice as large as the females.<ref name=":0">[https://www3.northern.edu/natsource/MAMMALS/Longta1.htm LONG-TAILED WEASEL (Mustela frenata), Description; Northern State University, Aberdeen, South Dakota]</ref>

The eyes are black in daylight, but glow bright emerald green when caught in a spotlight at night.<ref name="s303">{{Harvnb|Schwartz|Schwartz|2001|p=303}}</ref> The dorsal fur is brown in summer, while the underparts are whitish and tinged with yellowish or buffy brown from the chin to the inguinal region. The tail has a distinct black tip. Long-tailed weasels in [[Florida]] and the [[Southwestern United States|southwestern US]] may have facial markings of a white or yellowish colour. In northern areas in winter, the long-tailed weasel's fur becomes white, sometimes with yellow tints, but the tail retains its black tip.<ref name="f651"/> The long-tailed weasel moults twice annually, once in [[autumn]] (October to mid-November) and once in [[Spring (season)|spring]] (March–April). Each moult takes about 3–4 weeks and is governed by day length and mediated by the [[pituitary gland]]. Unlike the stoat, whose [[sole (foot)|sole]]s are thickly furred all year, the long-tailed weasel's soles are naked in summer.<ref name="p280"/> The long-tailed weasel has well-developed anal scent glands, which produce a strong and musky odour. Analysis of a dichloromethane extract of the anal gland secretion showed it contained 2,2-dimethylthietane, 2,4-dimethylthietane, 2,3-dimethylthietane, 2-propylthietane, 3,3-dimethyl-1,2-dithiolane, 3-ethyl-1,2-dithiolane, indole and 2-aminoacetophenone.<ref>{{cite journal |journal= Biochemical Systematics and Ecology  |volume=36 | year=2008 |title= Major volatile compounds from the anal gland of the long-tailed weasel, Mustela frenata |author1=Wood W. F. |author2=Joest K. P. |issue=7 | doi=10.1016/j.bse.2008.01.005|pages=588–589}}</ref> Unlike [[skunk]]s, which spray their musk, the long-tailed weasel drags and rubs its body over surfaces in order to leave the scent,<ref name="p282"/> to mark their territory and, when startled or threatened, to discourage predators.<ref>[http://www.esf.edu/aec/adks/mammals/longtailed_weasel.htm Long-tailed Weasel]. Esf.edu. Retrieved on 2014-05-10.</ref>