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Least weasel
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===Predators and competitors=== [[File:Weaselsvsstoat.png|thumb|Least weasels driven from a [[mountain hare]] carcass by a [[stoat]], as illustrated in [[Gerald Edwin Hamilton Barrett-Hamilton|Barrett-Hamilton]]'s ''A History of British Mammals'']] The least weasel is small enough to be preyed upon by a range of other predators.<ref name=h475>{{Harvnb|Harris|Yalden|2008|p=475}}</ref> Least weasel remains have been found in the excrement of [[red fox]]es, [[sable]]s, [[steppe polecat|steppe]] and [[European polecat|forest polecat]], [[stoat]]s, [[eagle owl]]s and [[buzzard]]s.<ref name=s992>{{Harvnb|Heptner|Sludskii|2002|p=992}}</ref> The [[owls]] most efficient at capturing least weasels are [[barn-owl|barn]], [[barred owl|barred]], and [[great horned owl]]s. Other birds of prey threatening to the least weasel include [[Broad-winged hawk|broad-winged]] and [[rough-legged buzzard]]s. Some [[snake]] species may prey on the least weasel, including the [[black rat snake]] and [[Agkistrodon contortrix|copperhead]].<ref name=m277/> Aside from its smaller size, the least weasel is more vulnerable to predation than the stoat because it lacks a black predator deflection mark on the tail.<ref name=h475/> In areas where the least weasel is [[Sympatry|sympatric]] with the [[stoat]], the two species compete with each other for rodent prey. The weasel manages to avoid too much competition by living in more upland areas, feeding on smaller prey and being capable of entering smaller holes. It actively avoids encounters with stoats, though female weasels are less likely to stop foraging in the presence of stoats, perhaps because their smaller size allows them to quickly escape into holes.<ref name=h469>{{Harvnb|Harris|Yalden|2008|p=469}}</ref>
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