The mustelidae family includes a wide variety of species. Among other things, there are the stone marten and pine marten, the mouse weasel and the forest iltis. They are bloodthirsty and voracious, but also useful because they destroy harmful small rodents.
The stone marten and the pine marten are very similar and live in the areas of the same countries. The stone marten is smaller than the pine marten and its legs are relatively shorter and lower. The fur coat is shorter and a little lighter brown, and the patch on the chest is white. The fur of the pine marten is dark brown and there is a golden yellow spot on the underside of the neck. The beech marten often settles near human settlements, but the pine marten avoids them because it likes secluded forest areas. Both are equally agile, climb and jump skillfully in trees, swim well and crawl through cracks well.
The weasel is a slender animal with a long tail and short legs. Its fur is reddish-brown in color, lighter than most animals of its kind. It lives near country estates, on meadows and on the edges of forests. It is active at night, but can sometimes be found during the day, and lives a lonely life.
The wood elk has an elongated body of up to 40 cm in length, which is dark brown on the back, while it is lighter on the belly. He defends himself against enemies by squirting stinking secretions from the anal glands. He lives in fields, meadows and swamps. (Željka Šaravanja)
