Mammal · GBIF taxon 5219019
Stoat
Mustela ermineaAlso known as Ermine, Eurasian Ermine, Short-tailed Weasel
Stoats are hyperactive, slender predators famous for their remarkable agility and dramatic seasonal coat changes, shedding brown summer fur for a snowy white winter coat while keeping a distinct black tail tip year round. They hunt with relentless energy, using an acrobatic dance of twisting leaps to disorient prey before dispatching mammals several times their size with a precise bite to the skull. Highly adaptable, they play a vital ecological role in controlling rodent and rabbit populations across northern landscapes.
CarnivoreHyperactiveAdaptable
Licensed reference(c) E. A., some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by E. A. · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Voles
- Rabbits
- Mice
Predators
- Raptors
- Owls
- Red Fox
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, secondary rodenticide poisoning, trapping
HabitatsBoreal forest, tundra, grasslands, hedgerows, alpine meadows
Life span1–5 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyMustelidae
- SpeciesMustela erminea
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- May bite fiercely if cornered or handled; observe from a safe distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Delivers a swift, sharp bite with needle-like teeth when cornered or restrained.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Slender body with brown upperparts, white underbelly, and a prominent black-tipped tail.
- What to do
- Observe from several meters away and never attempt to catch or corner a wild individual.
Responsible observation
- Patience at Burrows: Scan rock piles and stone walls where stoats weave through crevasses hunting prey.
- Watch Tail Tips: Look for the black tail tip to distinguish stoats from smaller least weasels year round.
- Maintain Distance: Never attempt to corner or grab a stoat, as they deliver painful defensive bites.
Prey (c) Alexis Lours, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis Lours · cc-by
Predator "Red Fox" by Mike's Birds is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Keven Law / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative
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