Geographical distribution for this species lies in parts of Asia from Kazakhstan, Tibet, and the Himalayas to Mongolia, northeastern China, and southern Siberia.

The conservation status, according to the IUCN, is near threatened because it is considered to be in significant decline and requires monitoring mainly because of habitat and resource loss.

The gestation period is 30–49 days, but these periods of gestation and birth can be altered because the animal is capable of delayed implantation; the female can breed and the egg is fertilized, but the egg does not attach to the endometrium in the uterus to continue pregnancy until resources are available to maintain the pregnancy and feed the young.

The offspring are born altricial, require nourishment and depend on the mother, their eyes are closed, and their fur is not well developed.

When threatened, they emit a loud chirring sound and excrete a foul, pungent odor from their anal glands.

They primarily feed on pikas and voles; they have an important ecological role in reducing or limiting the population numbers of these rodents.

Muskrats, rabbits, ground squirrels, small birds, lizards, frogs, fish, and insects are also found in their diet.

Overgrazing by cattle, goats, and sheep causes the prey of the weasel to diminish because their hiding spots and food are reduced.

The category in which it is included consists of 45 species that are protected in at least one country which has asked for assistance in controlling the trade of that animal to safeguard resources for the future.

[7] To initiate a plan to set a nature reserve, construction, staffing, access development, and research and monitoring of the species it intends to protect and preserve are required.

Unfortunately, the plans were denied by the authorities because they viewed it as an attempt to direct the government funds to Golmud, China where these valleys are located.

Population declines in Mustela lutrola, the European mink, are similar to the Altai weasel – primarily caused by habitat destruction, but also from diseases.