True to its name, it has a distinctive bright yellow or golden underside that contrasts sharply with its dark brown back, head, and tail. This bold coloration makes it one of the most striking members of the weasel family, giving it an almost two-toned appearance. Despite its small size, it has the speed, agility, and ferocity characteristic of mustelids, earning a reputation as a surprisingly tough predator.

What makes the yellow-bellied weasel unique is its adaptation to both high and low elevations. It can be found in forests, grasslands, and agricultural fields at altitudes ranging from 1,000 to over 2,500 meters (3,300–8,200 feet), thriving in environments that shift from chilly mountains to warmer lowlands. Its diet is largely carnivorous, focusing on small rodents, birds, reptiles, and insects, but it will also scavenge opportunistically. In agricultural regions, farmers sometimes regard it as beneficial because of its role in controlling rodent populations, much like cats or barn owls. Its slim, elongated body allows it to pursue prey into burrows and tight spaces, making it both a relentless hunter and an important ecological regulator.

The yellow-bellied weasel is solitary and secretive, coming together only during the breeding season. Like many mustelids, it is known for its boldness despite its size; when threatened, it can release a strong-smelling musk from its anal glands, a potent chemical defense that deters predators. Its activity patterns are both diurnal and nocturnal depending on conditions, though it often hunts at dawn and dusk. Agile climbers as well as runners, these weasels can move through trees as easily as through undergrowth, making them versatile predators.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Bhutan

2015

Cambodia

2015

China

2015

India

2015

Laos

2015

Myanmar

2015

Nepal

2015

Thailand

2015

Vietnam

2015