County Records for Two Mustelids in Kansas

Abstract

Southward dispersal of the least weasel in Kansas has been well documented (Choate et al., 1979). No previous specimens have been reported from Rooks County (Bee et al., 1981). On 23 April 1982, a female least weasel was obtained by Mr. Phil Hinger at a place 51/2 mi N, 41/2 mi E Plainville (W1/2 sec. 34, T.8S, R.17W) between Elm Creek and Medicine Creek, both tributaries of the Kansas River System. Mr. Hinger stated that he had taken the weasel from his dog. The specimen was given to Ron Little and Scott Hanzlicek of the Kansas Fish and Game Commission, who subsequently gave it to the Museum of the High Plains, Fort Hays State University (MHP 20931). External measurements (in mm) of the specimen are: total length, 186; length of tail, 27; length of hind foot, 20; length of ear from notch, 10. The animal was in summer pelage. The nearest other records of occurrence are approximately 30 mi N, 6/2 mi E in Phillips County, and 71/2 mi N, 151/2 mi E in Osborne County (Choate et al., 1979). This specimen represents not only the first occurrence of this species in Rooks County, but also the westernmost locality of record for this species in the state.