They will run down through the tunnels, climb trees, or even swim. What to Pack: Japan can have freezing winters, depending on where you visit, which means winter staples like a heavy coat, a scarf, gloves, and hat, are all must-packs. * Where to find them: Originally distributed in woods, farmland, brushy areas and mountainous regions from Honshu to Kyushu, Japanese weasels can also be found in Hokkaido now. The critters are yokai that hang around the Koshin’etsu region for the most part. Japanese weasels, known as itachi, are disconcerting animals. The Japanese weasel (Mustela Itatsi) is a carnivorous mammal belonging to the family Mustelidae. 42(2), 153-160 (in Jpn) etc. The countries that are in this biome are Northeast China and North Korea. Both males and females become reproductively mature at one year of age. The native Japanese weasel is found nationwide, while the closely related Siberian weasel has been introduced, and is now found throughout western Japan. Found in a range of habitats, the weasel favours good cover and plentiful prey, including woodland, grassland, sand dunes, mountains, urban areas, marshes and moors. Like most animals-turned-yōkai, they possess shape-shifting abilities in addition to a number of supernatural powers. Though itachi can transform, they prefer to use other kinds of magic—usually with unfortunate results for their targets. The Japanese marten (Martes melampus) is a mammal in the marten genus most closely related to the sable.It is 0.5 m (1.5 ft) in length typically, not counting a 20-cm-long tail (7.9 in), and between 1,000 and 1,500 grams (2.2 and 3.3 lb) in weight. The least weasel is the world’s smallest carnivorous animal. Habitat. The short-tailed weasel occupies a wider variety of habitats than the long-tailed weasel, which includes wetlands, forests, and fields. Their short legs have five small-clawed toes on each foot. Mammal Sci. They live in dens in hollow logs and tree stumps and make their hole cozy with soft feathers or grasses. Japanese hare. These are frequently blamed for starting conflagrations which can burn down entire towns. They dig little underground caches near their den entrances and keep them stocked with leftovers. Long-tailed weasels are generally found in places which have a sizable rodent population and proximity to water. Appearance: Like birds and spiders, many other animals develop into yōkai when they reach a certain age. Due to their carnivorous diet, Japanese weasels help control populations of rodents and other small animals. The mother nurses her young within 8 weeks. Japanese weasels (Mustela itatsi) may also be seen from time to time. Japanese weasels are carnivores. Birds. As a result, they are mistrusted and disliked. Historically, skunks have also been included in Mustelidae, but genetic analyses suggest that they belong to a separate family of their own Habitat Weasels can live in different habitat, including lowlands, farmlands, woods, and hedges. Alternate names: often referred to as ten, the Japanese marten Japanese weasels are native to Japan where they occur on the islands of Honshū, Kyūshū, and Shikoku. They are found in areas with abundant water, and mark their territories through a pungent secretion from their anal scent glands. Japanese mole. It is native to Japan where it occurs on the islands of Honshū, Kyūshū and Shikoku. After the yelping cries of a group of itachi are heard, misfortune and despair always follows. They can also be found in grasslands, villages, and suburbs, but try to avoid big cities. Do you like this site? Japanese weasels are small carnivorous mammals native to Japan. 2. They typically live in mountainous or forested areas near water. They are found in tropical and temperate habitats in Central and North America. Do you want to see even more yokai? In order to conserve mammalian top predators in human-dominated landscapes, large scale habitat requirements and food habits of the Japanese weasel (Mustela itatsi) were studied using 237 faecal samples, from a 901 km 2 area in the vicinity of Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan between 1999 and 2001. My books are available from Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle formats. Japanese weasel. Yakushima - Wikipedia According to Meisan Shojiki Ōrai (名産諸色往来) published in 1760, the meat of wild dog was sold along with boar, deer, fox, wolf, bear, raccoon dog, otter, weasel and cat in some regions of Edo. The weasel is considered an invasive species in New Zealand. However, species like the Japanese weasel, the Colombian weasel, and the mountain weasel are becoming near threatened and vulnerable. When cornered or very frightened, these animals produce a smelly secretion from an anal gland to scare away predators. Habitat of the Weasel Because of their wide diet range, weasels live in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, hedgerows, long grass, and walls. 1998; Kaneko et al. Weasels have long, slim bodies. Major habitats are plains , but in western Japan it mainly lives in mountainous areas. They can also be found in grasslands, villages, and suburbs, but try to avoid big cities. Their nests and burrows are in rock piles, hollow logs and under barns. The last day of the year is called "Omisoka," and "Oshogatsu" is the Japanese New Year. Well my friend, you have just run afoul of the kamaitachi, or the sickle weasel. Habitat Japanese Weasels can be found in Japan and Sakhalin Island, Russia. They bring ill omens, and people fear their particular brand of magic. Japanese macaque. As a result, there is confusion over which animal is being referred to in many stories. Japanese Black Pine. Itachi calls are also considered to be ill omens. They are said to resemble weasels, with sharp, sickle like claws. When an itachi changes its shape, it usually adopts the form of a young priest boy dressed in clothes that are too big for him. Itachi also frequently adopt the forms of other yōkai in order to scare humans. The short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea) is the second smallest member of the weasel family. Scats of the Tsushima marten (n=1236), the Siberian weasel (n=218) and the Tsushima leopard cat (n=350) were collected monthly and the food items were determined by scat contents analysis.Marten was omnivorous showing a high level of diversity of food throughout the year. Japanese marten. The Japanese are very much into their spirits. They use their sensitive nose and ears to locate prey. Japanese weasels are native to Japan where they occur on the islands of HonshÅ«, KyÅ«shÅ«, and Shikoku. These include: coniferous and mixed woodlands, scrub, alpine meadows, marshes, hedgerows, forest-edges, riverbanks, tundra, taiga (northern forests), forest-steppe and semi-desert. Interactions: Itachi are tricksters and pranksters, but generally shy away from interaction with humans. Species. The IUCN Red List and other sources do not provide the Japanese weasel total population size. There is variation between males and females in the way they select their nests as females require habitats with higher quality food than males. Appearance: Like birds and spiders, many other animals develop into yōkai when they reach a certain age. Japanese martens are found along valleys, primarily in broad-leaved forests (dominated by Quercus serrata and Castanopsis cuspidata). Their diet includes mice, frogs, reptiles, insects and crayfish. Like the long- tailed weasel and its other relatives, the short-tailed weasel, also known as the ermine, is a predator. Japanese Weasel on The IUCN Red List site -, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_weasel, https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41656/45214163. Japanese weasels are found in a wide variety of Japanese ecosystems, but primarily mountainous and forested areas near moving water. Japanese mountain mole. Most hunting is done along rivers, but these weasels occasionally venture into grasslands or suburban areas. Mustelid, (family Mustelidae), any of about 55 species of ferrets, polecats, badgers, martens, otters, the wolverine, and other members of the weasel family. This form is used chiefly to acquire alcohol, which the weasels cannot brew. These animals may also suffer from competition with the introduced Siberian weasel. They typically live in mountainous or forested areas near water. Kobe mole. The fur on the throat is usually white in color. Itachi are dangerous in groups. 2009a), it is known that the weasels use … The stoat can be found at altitudes of up to 4,050 m (13,300 ft.). As they have thin fur and long bodies, the selection of a nest is important to Japanese weasels. the online database of Japanese ghosts and monsters. Genus: Pinus Species: thunbergii. It is located between 30° to about 45° North latitude and … itachi) nine forms. One of their favorites is the ōnyÅ«dō: a colossal, bald-headed giant who terrorizes villages, destroys houses, devours livestock and even eats people. Japanese weasels are active during the day and night. Sekiguchi et al. Weasels evolved in cold climates, and learned to use this to their advantage. Japanese weasels are skilfull hunters and will chase down their prey by any means. After the gestation period of about 30 days, the female gives birth to 2-12 kits, but usually 5 or 6. Additionally, the names ten and itachi were often used interchangeably. Japanese weasels are polygynous which means that one males mates with more than one female during the breeding season. La Touche's free-tailed bat. 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