African Striped Weasel Skull Replica

Description

African striped weasel skull replica measures 2.0 x 2.0 x 0.9 inches. The Poecilogate albinuchas skull is museum-quality polyurethane resin cast from California Academy of Sciences specimen. 2-part skull (separate cranium and mandible). 1:1 scale. Made in USA.

The African striped weasel is one of the smallest mammalian carnivores in Africa, and has an elongated body and short legs. Adults have a head-body length of 11 to 13 ins., with the tail adding 6.3 to 7.9 in. The fur is mostly black, with four white to pale yellowish bands running down the back, a white patch on the top of the head, and a white tail.

They are generally solitary, but individuals sometimes pair up to dig burrows. They are very effective diggers, but sometimes rest in natural cavities such as hollow logs or rock crevices.

Males are aggressive when they encounter one another, fluffing their tails, making short cries, and fake charges, and then escalating to fighting with bites, shaking, and aggressive shrieks if neither individual retreats.

The animals use three specific calls during encounters. This vocalization only occurs between males and females, or between mothers and their young. Young weasels can also produce a distress call if they become seperated from their mother.

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Carnivora
• Family: Mustelidae
• Genus: Poecilogale
• Species: P. albinucha
• Binomial name: Poecilogale albinucha
• Conservation status: Least Concern

Grouping the African striped weasel skull with the South African springhare skull replica, the Northeast African mole rat skull replica, and the Gambian pouched rat skull replica creates a fantastic geographic display that highlights the diverse skull shapes and underground survival strategies of sub-Sharan African mammals.