Lesser grison
Scientific name: Galictis cuja
- How weight is recorded: Whole weight
Field notes
Appearance
Stocky, low-slung mustelid with a dark grey-brown back and white or pale grey underside and facial stripes. Body length 30–40 cm; sexually dimorphic with males noticeably larger.
Size and weight
Males 1.5–2.0 kg, females 1.0–1.5 kg; body length 30–40 cm.
Habitat
Lesser grison inhabit scrubland, grassland, and open woodland across lowlands and foothills up to ~2,000 m elevation. They favour areas with dense vegetation patches interspersed with clearings.
Distribution
Found from Paraguay, southern Bolivia, and central Argentina southward. Prefer open grasslands and scrub with nearby cover.
Diet
Carnivorous, feeding on small rodents, rabbits, ground-nesting birds, insects, and occasional carrion; diet shifts toward more arthropods during dry seasons.
Behaviour
Primarily diurnal and crepuscular, solitary or in pairs; highly mobile foragers covering substantial daily distances. Aggressive and bold when threatened; regularly venture into open ground.
Hunting tips
Look for five-toed tracks (4–5 cm width) in soft substrate and dark, segmented droppings near burrows or sheltered spots. Approach during early morning or dusk when most active; move quietly through tall grass margins where they hunt. Use wind advantage when stalking—they have keen scent detection and will flush toward dense cover or burrows.
Whole weight
This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.
Where it is hunted
Listed as huntable in 1 country in Huntify.
Names in other languages
Current language: en
These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.