I really struggle to get my head round weasels

[HoneyDragon]

I've seen them. I know what they look like, and often catch them whizzing across the road at weasel warp speed.

But their size always surprises me. Every time. I know they are small. But when you look at a picture of a weasel or think weasel, you think bigger. You don't think "oh, a weasel. That's a little bigger than a hamster that is". Or I don't. I go, ooooh a weasel. Wow, it's tiny, every time, the surprise never abates.

I struggle with weasel physics. That the actual weasel is not the size of the concept of weasel in my head.

I'm not sure how to fix it.

Weasels are brilliant. I've never seen one in real life though

Compare it to a stoat.

That'll fix you.

I'm exactly the same. The weasel on Springwatch last night seemed really small to me even though I've seen them many times before.

They are quite evil actually.

Meaner than a junkyard dog.

I don't like stoats. They have stupid tails and end up on coat collars.

So its not just me. Yay.

Perhaps its a survival mechanism?

"Weasel" is a very satisfying word.

Also like "pop goes the weasel".

Pine marten, like a weasel on steroids.

I remember seeing two stoats frolicking on the grounds of a Sussex Stately Garden, it made my day.

OP, your thread title has also made my day, fantastic , I am thinking how I might drop it into casual conversation tomorrow.

I always wonder who the heck wanted a freaky dead animal, complete with head and tail, hanging round their neck...

Creepy.

They are quite evil actually.

What put me off weasels was reading the Little Grey Rabbit stories. The weasel in those books was scary.

And yes, weasel is an excellent word.

The weasels in Wind in the Willows are well 'ard.

Salmotrutta; "Compare it to a stoat. That'll fix you"
Aha! My dad's favourite 'joke':

"Weasels are weasely recognised, because stoats are stoatily different"

Try thinking of them as a fast furry pencil with legs. Works for me and I'm a professional doncha know

But weasels shouldn't be pencil sized. Weasels are the wrong size.

Yes, and those of you of a certain age might remember how very naughty Tufty the squirrel's friend Willy weasel was. All that running out from behind ice cream vans without looking.

Weasels are bad (and tiny).

Perhaps you'd be more comfortable with a pine marten?

There are some horrible weasels in Stephen King's The Stand.

Far too weasely for my liking.

Gobblers

Fuzzy I had forgotten all about Tufty.

But Pine Martens are so rare now .

One of the few things I haven't seen in real life.

Like wild cats or badgers.

I suffer a bit from Giraffes too. I know they are big. But when you see them you go "fucking hell, that's huge" you'd think elephants would be the same, but they are reassuringly elephant sized. Giraffes have shock factor.

Nooooooo! Weasels can't be evil. Please tell me they have a good side?

I've never seen a badger even though i grew up in the country...

Giraffes I can deal with, but Giraffes eyes mess with my brain t o o b i g.