Stoat

Mustela erminea

The stoat is a small, furry animal that loves to explore! With a long body and short legs, it can be very quick and playful.

Habitat: Woodlands and fields

Appearance

The Stoat is a small, slender mammal with a long body and short legs. It has brown fur on its back and sides, with a creamy white belly. A key feature is the black tip on its tail, which helps distinguish it from similar weasels.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCarnivoraFamilyMustelidaeGenusMustela

Stoat

Interesting facts

A group of stoats is sometimes called a "pack" or even a "gang"!

Despite their small size, stoats can take down prey much larger than themselves.

Stoats often perform a "weasel war dance" to confuse and mesmerize their prey!

They kill prey with a precise bite to the back of the neck, showing amazing hunting skill.

Special abilities

Stoats can change their brown fur to pure white in winter to blend perfectly with snow, helping them hide and hunt.

The Stoat has incredible agility and speed, allowing it to pursue and catch quick prey like mice and voles.

Stoats are excellent climbers, easily scampering up trees to raid nests or escape predators with their sharp claws.

Measurements & details

Length: 17-33 cm
Weight: 0.075-0.445 kg
Lifespan: 1-3 years
Top Speed: 35 km/h
Litter Size: 4-9
Gestation: 250-330 days

Diet & Feeding

A super speedy hunter, the stoat mostly eats small animals it catches with lightning-quick moves!

Primary Foods

Voles
Mice
Shrews
Rabbits
Birds
Eggs

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

hunts

Bank Vole

Myodes glareolus

Main food source for stoats.

hunts

European Rabbit

Oryctolagus cuniculus

Stoats hunt young or sick rabbits.

eaten by

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

A common predator of stoats.

eaten by

Common Buzzard

Buteo buteo

Large birds of prey hunt stoats.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Furry

Find adorable animals covered in a cozy coat of soft fur! Their fur helps them stay warm and protected in different environments.

Solitary

Meet animals that enjoy their independence! These creatures prefer to live by themselves, finding food and shelter on their own.

Ambush Predator

Meet masters of surprise! These clever hunters hide quietly and wait patiently for their prey to come close before pouncing with a quick move.

Forest

These lush habitats are filled with countless trees, offering homes to a huge variety of plants and animals! Immerse yourself in the green canopy.

Carnivorous

Discover fierce hunters and clever predators that get all their energy from eating other animals. They play a vital role in keeping nature's balance.

Speedster

Discover creatures that dart, zip, and fly with incredible swiftness, making them masters of rapid movement in their habitats. They are built for speed, whether chasing prey or escaping danger.