Page 73 - (DK) I Can’t Believe It! 2

STRANGE BUT TRUE! 71

In 2015 amateur photographer Martin FAST FACTS
Le-May shot this image in Hornchurch
Country Park, London, UK, but the
picture doesn’t tell the full story. The
weasel attacked the woodpecker and The least weasel’s
refused to give up, even when the bird body is just bigger
than an adult hand.
took flight. An aerial scrap ensued
before the weasel tumbled and The tail can
the woodpecker escaped. be up to 3 1 ⁄8 in
(8 cm) long.

The carnivorous least
weasel typically attacks The least weasel is the world’s
large prey, such as smallest carnivore. Measuring
rabbits, mice, frogs, only 4 ⁄3–10 ⁄5 in (11–26 cm)
1
1
and birds. and weighing as little as ⁄10 oz
9
(25 g), it has been known to kill
prey up to 10 times its weight. It
is found throughout Europe, North
America, and parts of Asia.

The European green
woodpecker often
leaves itself vulnerable
to attack because
it forages on the
ground for ants.

US_070-071_309600_Weasel_and_bird.indd 71 19/12/17 12:56 pm