Species Name: Stoat - Mustela erminea

How to recognise

The stoat is a member of a family of animals that include the weasel, the otter and the badger. It has a long slim body with short legs. The fur of a stoat is mainly a warm reddish brown although the underside is white or cream in colour. The stoat has quite a long tail (between 9-14 cm) with a distinctive black tip. Some stoats turn partially or completely white in winter when they are considered to be in ermine. However, even if a stoat is in complete ermine the tip of its tail is always black.

The overall dimensions of a stoat (excluding the tail) vary from between 27-31cm for a male and 24-30cm for a female.

Where to see

The stoat occurs throughout Britain and Ireland. In Norfolk it is common and widespread, most often seen when driving as it speeds across country lanes in front of your car like a clockwork toy. Numbers do fluctuate with the availability of prey and populations were severely reduced after myxomatosis wiped out nearly all the county's rabbits in the 1950's.

A good place to see stoats hunting rabbits is at the NWT Weeting Heath reserve.

When to see

Stoats do not hibernate and can be encountered all through the year. Although usually fiercely territorial, male stoats will range widely during the spring in search of females. Stoats in ermine are rare but can be encountered during the winter months.

Females give birth to 6-12 young in spring and feed them for up to 12 weeks, by which time they are developing into efficient hunters and may be seen as a family group playing above ground or on hunting expeditions.

Conservation status in Norfolk

Not threatened, although there is no legal protection in the UK.

Lack of available prey is probably the main cause of death for young stoats for which mortality is high. Other predators include owls, hawks or larger carnivores such as the fox and particularly the domestic cat.

There is little competition for food between stoats and weasels. The stoat is much more aggressive and can handle larger prey, but the weasel is an excellent 'tunnel-hunter', reaching small rodents which the stoat cannot.

How to help

Report your sightings to the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists Society who maintain a database of mammal distribution within Norfolk for conservation purposes.

Did you know?

Stoats are curious animals and will investigate squeaking noises especially if they sound like the squeal of a rabbit in distress. It is said to be possible to attract them by standing still and sucking hard on the back of your hand!

Finding out more

Mammals Trust UK

Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists Society

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