What is the distinctive locomotion pattern when a weasel travels quickly?
Answer
A bounding gait, often arching the back.
Weasel locomotion when moving quickly is distinct from many other small mammals. Instead of a steady run, they employ what is described as a bounding gait. This movement involves leaping or bounding forward with the body, often characterized by an arching of the back during the motion. This method is highly economical for rapidly covering ground while keeping the body low to the earth, which aids in stealth and efficiency during travel across open areas.

Related Questions
Why is the weasel's slender and elongated body essential?What is the approximate weight of the Least Weasel (*Mustela nivalis*)?How much might an adult male Long-tailed Weasel outweigh a female?What feature of the weasel's winter white coat often remains dark?What is the primary function of the weasel's molars and premolars?What physiological consequence results from the weasel's high surface-area-to-volume ratio?What is the distinctive locomotion pattern when a weasel travels quickly?What is a crucial feature of the weasel's claws regarding retraction?What specific feature primarily differentiates the Stoat (*Mustela erminea*) from a true weasel?Describe the physical characteristic of the weasel's skull mentioned regarding its shape?