Endlessly fascinating interaction. This stirs so many questions. Is there a cut off temperature above which weasels will not predate on rattlesnakes? Do mustelids in other areas behave similarly? Are weasels over abundant like raccoons are in some areas due to loss of large predators? Thanks for posting this.
Thank you for the comment and we think alike. So far and this is just emerging evidence from a handful of my trail cams, weasels seem to avoid rattlesnake hibernacula during fall ingress and spring emergence/egress (Sept/Oct and April/May respectively) suggesting that they are aware rattlesnakes are active enough to defend themselves with lethal force (during the summer, weasels in fact fall prey to rattlesnakes). I am eager to learn if such predation occurs in other areas....hopefully this will encourage biologists to set up trail cams at horridus den sites during the winter months throughout their northern range. I am not sure if weasel numbers are unnaturally high due to lack of larger predators, since there are plenty of smaller predators that hunt these diminutive mustelids, such as foxes, bobcats, and owls.
Mustelids are my favorite mammals and this learned predation behavior (i.e. taking advantage of the lethargic snakes in winter) is intriguing. Of course I am passionate for rattlesnakes and such predation is a bit difficult for me to watch.
Cool footage...
Thanks 👍
Sweet footage and story to follow along.
14f yikes thats cold for a snake!
Great work!
Thanks. Yeah the snake once exposed to those temps wouldn't last long.
Fantastic footage as per usual
Thank you!
Endlessly fascinating interaction. This stirs so many questions. Is there a cut off temperature above which weasels will not predate on rattlesnakes? Do mustelids in other areas behave similarly? Are weasels over abundant like raccoons are in some areas due to loss of large predators? Thanks for posting this.
Thank you for the comment and we think alike. So far and this is just emerging evidence from a handful of my trail cams, weasels seem to avoid rattlesnake hibernacula during fall ingress and spring emergence/egress (Sept/Oct and April/May respectively) suggesting that they are aware rattlesnakes are active enough to defend themselves with lethal force (during the summer, weasels in fact fall prey to rattlesnakes). I am eager to learn if such predation occurs in other areas....hopefully this will encourage biologists to set up trail cams at horridus den sites during the winter months throughout their northern range. I am not sure if weasel numbers are unnaturally high due to lack of larger predators, since there are plenty of smaller predators that hunt these diminutive mustelids, such as foxes, bobcats, and owls.
Wow, cool footage. In those cold temps the snakes have no chance. But weasels have to eat too and are fascinating little predators.
Mustelids are my favorite mammals and this learned predation behavior (i.e. taking advantage of the lethargic snakes in winter) is intriguing. Of course I am passionate for rattlesnakes and such predation is a bit difficult for me to watch.
@@lotterhand ExactIy right, I feel the same. I had no idea they preyed on rattlesnakes, especially in the winter. Smart little critters for sure.
Indeed and it seems like learned behavior @@metalmamasue3680
Incredible! Nice work!
Thank you! Without trail cams it would have never occurred to me that such predation exists!
Incredible
So im going to assume a fisher will really take a toll on timbers
Regarding timber rattlesnake dens, unlikely since adult fishers can't fit down into the tight quarters that make up the heart of such structures.
Incredible