Connecticut mammals

Long-tailed Weasel in Connecticut

Neogale frenata

Native to Connecticut S5 Secure in Connecticut

Not listed as nonindigenous in Connecticut by USGS NAS; native to its Connecticut range.

IUCN Red List status

  1. LC
  2. NT
  3. VU
  4. EN
  5. CR
  6. EW
  7. EX

LC – Least Concern

Widespread and abundant; not at risk.

Long-tailed weasel standing alert in grass with its black-tipped tail curled behind it, Sonoma County, CaliforniaLong-tailed weasel pausing at the edge of a paved trail beside tall grass, San Francisco, CaliforniaLong-tailed weasel peering over a log, showing its cream underside and brown crown, VermontLong-tailed weasel with a bridled black-and-white facial mask peering through a gap in deck boards, TexasLong-tailed weasel standing alert among limestone rocks, New Mexico
Photo: benjchristensen · CC BY 4.0Long-tailed weasel standing alert in grass with its black-tipped tail curled behind it, Sonoma County, CaliforniaPhoto: Jay Paroline · CC BY 4.0Long-tailed weasel pausing at the edge of a paved trail beside tall grass, San Francisco, CaliforniaPhoto: Bernie Paquette · CC BY 4.0Long-tailed weasel peering over a log, showing its cream underside and brown crown, VermontPhoto: johnyochum · CC BY 4.0Long-tailed weasel with a bridled black-and-white facial mask peering through a gap in deck boards, TexasPhoto: Bob Nieman · CC BY 4.0Long-tailed weasel standing alert among limestone rocks, New Mexico

Long-tailed Weasel in Connecticut, by the numbers

Occasional in Connecticut 31st most recorded of 70 mammals logged in Connecticut

91 occurrence records
40 with iNaturalist photos
Jun 11, 2026 Last seen in Connecticut

Records from 2000–2026.

When to look for the Long-tailed Weasel in Connecticut

Most sightings fall in October to November.

91 Connecticut occurrence records (iNaturalist and GBIF) by month of year, 2000–2026. Shows when the species is recorded, not a guarantee of presence.

Monthly Connecticut records (table)
MonthRecords
January3
February5
March13
April7
May10
June7
July6
August6
September4
October13
November15
December2

Monthly long-tailed weasel occurrence records (iNaturalist and GBIF) in Connecticut, 2000–2026.

Seasonality

Year-round in Connecticut, with recorded sightings peaking in October–November, with a smaller rise in March and May.

Occurrence map

Where Long-tailed Weasel has been recorded in Connecticut

91 records mapped · zoom and drag to explore

91 Connecticut records mapped

Where it's recorded in Connecticut

CountyRecords
New London County 37
Hartford County 16
Fairfield County 12
Litchfield County 9
Windham County 6
New Haven County 4
Tolland County 3
Middlesex County 3
Other localities 1

The complete county distribution, spread across 8 Connecticut counties. Every occurrence record falls in one county, so these sum to the total. Counties from GBIF and US Census boundaries.

Long-tailed weasels are Connecticut’s largest weasel species, hunting mice and voles almost exclusively and following prey into whatever coastal marsh edge or upland field holds the densest rodent population, which is why records span both the shoreline cover at Hammonasset and Bluff Point and the hill-country farmland further inland.

Records climb through spring to a July peak, six times the December low, tracking the stretch when this year’s kits are old enough to hunt alongside their mother and become easier to spot. With 179 records, this is one of the better-documented mustelids in this rank range, and NatureServe rates the species secure (S5) statewide, even though its lean, elongated build keeps it naturally hard to notice compared with Connecticut’s larger predators.

Occurrence data from iNaturalist.

Long-tailed weasel standing alert in grass with its black-tipped tail curled behind it, Sonoma County, California
Full species profile Long-tailed Weasel Neogale frenata Size 24.8 cm9.8 in Weight 170 g6 oz Lifespan Up to 8.8 yr View the full profile

More mammals in Connecticut in the atlas

Data & sources

The data and visualizations on this page draw on these open sources:

  • GBIFCC-BY 4.0occurrence records behind the range map, elevation, and record counts
  • iNaturalistCC0 / CC-BY / CC-BY-SAobservations, photos, and audio recordings
  • NatureServe ExplorerCC-BYthe state conservation rank
  • IUCN Red Listattributed factthe global conservation status
  • USGS NASpublic domainnative / introduced status
  • Natural Earthpublic domainthe relief basemap