This superb ‘tunnel-hunter’, with its flexible slender body, is able to hunt any time of the day or year. Weasels do not hibernate and so can be seen all year round.
Conservation status
Not threatened even though they have no legal protection in Britain. In years when prey numbers are low many weasels starve and few of the survivors breed. Local populations often experience extinctions. However, weasels are extremely good at re-colonising abandoned areas when conditions improve.
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.
Related questions & advice
The stoat has a black tip to its tail and is slightly larger than a weasel.
Picture by John Lincoln
Norfolk Wildlife Trust is unable to deal with sick or injured animals. Please phone the RSPCA Wildlife Centre, East Winch, King's Lynn on 0300 123 0709. Visit the
RSPCA website for more information.