The Hutong Weasel: Straight Outta the Wild Streets of Beijing

It might sound like a reference to a Friday night in the hutongs, since that's when a fair portion of Beijing's population tends to change shape and become animalistic, but despite the similarities, this blog is in fact about actual animals who have found a home in Beijing. While North American homes are often terrorized by raccoons and European red squirrels are chased away by their aggressive Canadian Grey counterparts, Beijingers seem to lead their day-to-day lives with no big disturbances. Well, not counting the occasional diminutive scorpion, poisonous millipede, or friendly shield cockroach. 

If you wander outside of Beijing, for example, into the mountains and lakes of Miyun, the absence of wildlife is quite striking to anyone who has grown up with at least a glimpse of pristine nature. While it might seem the only animals in the streets are fried chicken dogs (the overly curly brown creatures) and an occasional fly buzzing inside your kitchen, Beijing's wildlife scene is not all that it seems. Nine years ago, the Beijinger took a look at the animals roaming the streets and outskirts of Beijing. Back then, the excitement of two wild boars frolicking down a main street in Haidian was tragically cut short when one of them ducked under a car. 

Another sighting outlines some flocks of crows (much less exciting than boars) as well as a wolf caught near the Great Wall in Badaling. It was never really ascertained whether the lone wolf wandered too close to the tourist area or was threatening to cross the wall, but either way, it was captured and later transported further north and released. For die-hard animal fans, we'd suggest venturing into the wetlands and forest parks in the outskirts of the city while having your fingers very firmly crossed (you might get to see a woodpecker or at least a rabbit!).

Calling it "Beijing wildlife" may certainly be a stretch. However, the one animal that for sure deserves its own chamber (or cave) of fame in the Big Smog is the Siberian weasel. Going by the nickname "hutong weasel" among most foreigners and "yellow rat wolf" (黄鼠狼 huáng shǔ láng) by everyone else, this crafty yellow creature can often be heard pitter-pattering on hutong roofs in the middle of the night. The sighting of this near-mystical creature is often a reward in and of itself as those who have not been #blessed enough to spot this little golden critter often doubt their existence entirely. Example: Online discussions about sightings and legends regarding the hutong weasel like it might as well be Big Foot.

Being the most talked-about urban animal of them all wins this little weasel a set of myths and legends that surround it, including the Chinese folklore that claims that they are in fact wandering spirits that can steal and replace your soul. This soul-stealing tendency arises from the fact that weasels desire to become enlightened but in the Kingdom of Heaven it is forbidden for animals to do so, thus they can sometimes be perceived as a bad omen. Seeing one is also supposed to bring you good luck, so now we're stumped.

A Chinese proverb also uses the Siberian weasel as a metaphor for sneaky and ill-intending characters, saying that "The weasel wishes the hen happy new year" (黄鼠狼给鸡拜年 huáng shǔ láng gěi jī bài nián). What goes unsaid in the proverb, but understood as a subtext, is that a chicken or two may go missing should they great the weasel's well-wishes as genuine.

These conflicting opinions throughout history have usually worked out best for the weasels and whether out of good or ill will, Beijing's residents tend to pay them no mind. After all, you wouldn't want to anger them and get your soul stolen. Unless that is you're looking to make some new sweeping brushes, for which it is said, weasel fur makes great material.

If the hutong spirits have not yet blessed you with an eye-to-eye moment with a Siberian weasel, spend some time scouring Dongcheng's streets after dark. Just beware, while they look plenty cute, they will steal your soul/sandwich.

Images: BKILL, Wild Facts