Stoat
Taken at Skateraw on 1st March 2020 using Nikon D500 with Sigma 600 mm zoom lens.
 Fact File
 




Stoat.
Species:
Order:
Family:
A.K.A. 		Mustela erminea.
Carnivora.
Mustelidae.
Short-tailed weasel.
Nest:


Description:




Length:
Food:


Feature:

 The stoat does not dig its own burrows, instead it uses the burrows and nest chambers of the rodents it kills. The skins and underfur of rodent prey are used to line the nest chamber.
The winter fur is very dense and silky, but quite closely lying and short, while the summer fur is rougher, shorter and sparse. In summer, the fur is sandy-brown on the back and head and a white below. In the stoat's northern range, it adopts a completely white coat (save for the black tail-tip)
during the winter period.
18 – 32 cms. Tail: 8 - 12 cms.
Mouse-like rodents predominate in the stoat's diet. However, the stoat can kill young hares and rabbits. They will often take small birds, fish, and, more rarely, amphibians,lizards, and insects when hungry.
Females are sexually mature at the age of 2–3 weeks whilst still blind, deaf and hairless, and are usually mated with adult males before being weaned.