Taille : 14-30 cm plus 3-13 cm pour la queue (adulte). C'est le plus petit des Carnivores. La taille varie en fonction des latitudes : les populations du sud ayant généralement des individus de plus grande taille que celles du nord. Poids :35-130 g (adulte). Diagnose : La Belette a une silhouette longiligne, son corps est souple et bas sur patte. Son pelage dorsal est brun-roux tandis que le ventral est blanc. En France, la ligne de démarcation entre le dos et le ventre est irrégulière. La Belette a une tâche brune au niveau de la joue et pas de pinceau noir au bout de la queue.
Détermination : Moyennement difficile. Espèces proches : Mustela erminea Linnaeus, 1758. L'Hermine a une queue se finissant par un manchon noir, une ligne de démarcation nette et régulière et pas de tâche sur la joue. Période d'observation : Observable toute l'année et tout au long de la journée. Biologie-éthologie : La Belette s'accouple en mars-avril et met bas après 35 jours de gestation. Le nombre de petits par portée varie de 2 à 10. Carnivore, elle s'alimente principalement de campagnols qu'elle peut aller chasser jusque dans leurs terriers. Biogéographique et écologie : Distribution circumboréale : la Belette est présente dans l'ensemble de l'Europe, au Maghreb, en Asie du nord et au nord de l'Amérique du Nord. Elle est inféodée à la présence des Campagnols. Référence bibliographique : Haffner P. & Savouré-Soubelet A. 2015. Sur la piste des Mammifères sauvages.Coll. L'amateur de la Nature. Dunod, Paris. 208 pp.
A. Savouré-Soubelet(UMS 2006 Patrimoine Naturel (AFB / CNRS / MNHN)),2015
The map presents a summary at the 10 x 10 km grid of the observation data for the species transmitted to the SINP. These data have been subjected to validation filters.
Distribution map from the Atlas of Departmental Biodiversity and Marine Sectors program
Current distribution in metropolitan France
The map presents a reference distribution layer of the species at the scale of departments and marine sectors. The presence and absence data were established by expertise within a network of partners. This reference distribution is used in the validation process of the SINP data at the INPN level.
Distribution map from the Atlas of Departmental Biodiversity and Marine Sectors program
Certain presence
Corresponds to a report on the basis of at least one observation proved within a period of 10 years (20 years for little-known invertebrates) preceding the year and no presumption of extinction since obtaining the last data nor doubt on reproductive and implemented nature of this population. For migratory species, the presence indicated concerns areas of reproduction.
Probable presence
This status is based on one or more of the following criteria:
search of species incomplete but presence of supportive environments;
ecology of the species consistent with the hypothesis of his presence;
the last reliable sighting is older than 10 years compared to the reference date, no recent specific research and no presumption of extinction from that date [vertebrates, invertebrates and plants well studied (rhopalocera, grasshoppers, dragonflies ...)] ;
the last reliable observation being older than 20 years, no recent specific research and no presumption of extinction from that date [poorly known taxa: fungus, many invertebrates...].
Probable or certain absence
This point covers the absence, more difficult by nature to demonstrate than presence. This status is based on one or more of the following criteria:
intensive but unsuccessful targeted research;
lack of adequate environments;
unobserved species while its presence is easily detected;
unlikely presence for historical or biogeographical reasons.
This status must be assigned to a department in which the presence of the species is casual.
Absence due to a proven extinction
Particular case of absence due to a proven extinction less than a half century ago (older disappearances are treated as "no probable or definite").
No information
In the state of knowledge, we can not comment on the presence or absence in the current department. This is the default status when not comprised in one of the previous categories or whenever there is doubt.
French Version
