Black-striped Weasel

The black-striped weasel (Mustela strigidorsa) is one of the most mysterious mammals in the northeast Oriental region, even though it occurs from Nepal east through northeast India and southern China to Vietnam. It is also found south to central Laos at altitudes from 3,281 to 8,202 feet (1000m to 2500m).

It is distinguished from all other species of Mustela by the presence of a narrow silvery dorsal streak extending from the occiput almost to the root of the tail. It also has a corresponding yellowish ventral streak from the chest along the abdomen.

The general body color of the dorsal surface varies from deep to paler chocolate brown, sometimes a little paler on the head and usually slightly darkened along the side of the dorsal streak. The tail and limbs are similar in shade as dorsal body surface. The upper lip from rhinarium, the chin and the throat up to the level of the ears are pale varying from whitish to ochre. On the hind throat and fore chest the pale hue gradually narrows in extent and is quite narrow between the fore legs, where it passes into the ventral streak, which expands on the inguinal region between thighs.

The soles of the feet are naked. The tail is small in size being almost between one -third to one-half the length of the head and body, and bushy. The length of head and body of a female from Laos was around 11.22 in (285 mm) while the tail length was 5.98 in (152 mm).

Very little is known about its behavior and biology. So far only eight animals of this species have been known scientifically.