Tonkin weasel

The Tonkin weasel or Vietnamese mountain weasel (Mustela tonkinensis) is a species of weasel from Vietnam. The species was described by Swedish biologist Berkil Björkegren in 1941, from a single specimen obtained in Vietnam in 1939. It was classified as a subspecies of common weasel until 2007, when it was re-classified as a separate species. It is not classified in the IUCN Red List and is listed as data deficient.

Tonkin weasel
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Suborder:	Caniformia
Family:	Mustelidae
Genus:	Mustela
Species:	M. tonkinensis
Binomial name
Mustela tonkinensis (Björkegren, 1941)

Taxonomy

Tonkin weasel is a species in the weasel family of Mustelidae.^[1][2] The species was described by Swedish biologist Berkil Björkegren in 1941, from a specimen obtained in Vietnam in January 1939. While describing the species, Björkegren described the species as being closely related to the common weasel. It was classified as a subspecies of the same subsequently by various zoologists. It was distinguished as a separate species on the basis of skull differences in 2007.^[3]

Distribution and habitat

Tonkin weasel is found only in Vietnam.^[4] It supposedly inhabits the low altitude ranges of the Hoang Lien mountains in Vietnam.^[3] As of 2015, it is not classified in the IUCN Red List and is listed as data deficient.^[4]

Morphology and behaviour

Tonkins' weasel is a medium-sized weasel with a body length of up to 200–243 mm (7.9–9.6 in), and tail length of 90–92 mm (3.5–3.6 in).^[3][5] It has a longer tail compared to the common weasel.^[3] The body is covered with brown colored fur, with the under parts predominantly white in colour, and a clear demarcation line between the two.^[3][5] It has a large skull measruing about 36.2 mm (1.43 in) at the base.^[3] Tonkin's weasel is not thought to be a better climber, and mainly preys on insects and small rodents on the ground.^[3]