Striped (White-naped) Weasel

The African striped weasel is a captivating, diminutive creature distinguished by its striking black and white fur and elongated body with short legs. This carnivorous mammal inhabits sub-Saharan Africa, thriving in diverse environments such as savannas, forests, and grasslands located south of the equator. When it comes to food, these weasels primarily hunt small mammals, birds, and reptiles, showing a particular preference for rodents. As nocturnal hunters, they depend on their acute sense of smell and swift movements to catch their prey.

Typically, African striped weasels are solitary, though they may pair up when digging burrows. They are highly territorial, marking their domains with dung and often engaging in confrontations with other males. These weasels utilize a range of vocalizations for communication, including calls for warnings, aggression, and submission. Regarding breeding, they engage in multiple mating sessions, and after an approximately 30-day gestation period, the female gives birth to a litter of two to three offspring in a burrow.

In African folklore, the striped weasel holds a unique significance. It is believed that cutting off a weasel's nose brings bad luck and a poor harvest, giving rise to the saying, "A weasel's nose is not to be trifled with." Their diet mainly consists of mice and small rodents, though they occasionally consume birds and eggs as well.