Long-tailed Weasel (Neogale frenata) is in the Mustelids family (Mustelidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 4,553 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Long-tailed Weasel: observations by month (U.S.)
About Long-tailed Weasel
The long-tailed weasel (Neogale frenata), also known as the bridled weasel or big stoat, is a species of mustelid distributed from southern Canada throughout all the United States and Mexico, southward through all of Central America and into northern South America. It is distinct from the short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea), also known as a "stoat", a close relation in the genus Mustela that originated in Eurasia and crossed into North America some half million years ago.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Long-tailed Weasel by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,647 | May | Mar–Sep |
| Colorado | 443 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Washington | 378 | July | Apr–Sep |
| Utah | 317 | July | Apr–Aug |
| Oregon | 270 | July | May–Sep |
| Massachusetts | 195 | July | Apr–Sep |
| Wyoming | 138 | July | May–Oct |
| Montana | 115 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Ohio | 105 | June | Jun–Nov |
| New York | 103 | June | Apr–Oct |
| Idaho | 96 | July | May–Sep |
| Vermont | 65 | September | Jun–Sep |
| New Mexico | 64 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Nevada | 43 | June | May–Aug |
| Connecticut | 42 | May | Mar–Sep |
| Pennsylvania | 39 | June | Apr–Aug |
| Illinois | 38 | June | Mar–Jul |
| North Carolina | 37 | June | Jun–Sep |
| Texas | 34 | January | Jan–Jan |
| Michigan | 32 | July | Apr–Oct |
| Alabama | 28 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Maine | 28 | August | Jul–Sep |
| New Hampshire | 28 | July | Jun–Sep |
| New Jersey | 26 | May | Apr–Oct |
| West Virginia | 23 | July | May–Jul |
| Virginia | 22 | July | Jun–Jul |
| North Dakota | 21 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Nebraska | 18 | June | Jun–Sep |
| Wisconsin | 18 | July | Apr–Oct |
| Arizona | 17 | July | Apr–Aug |
| Kentucky | 17 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Indiana | 16 | July | May–Jul |
| Minnesota | 16 | February | Feb–Apr |
| Tennessee | 14 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Rhode Island | 12 | July | Jul–Aug |
| South Dakota | 11 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Maryland | 7 | January | Dec–Jan |
| Mississippi | 7 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Georgia | 6 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Louisiana | 5 | April | Apr–May |
| Missouri | 5 | July | Jul–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Mustelids)
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Long-tailed Weasel?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from April to September.
Where is Long-tailed Weasel most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Colorado, Washington.