The stoat - Mustela erminea in the UK

The stoat - Mustela erminea - is a small mustelid, related to the weasel and otter. It has an orange body, black-tipped tail. it has a lovely and distinctive way of moving, a bounding, bouncing, fast movement. You can see them across the UK.

They are small only 24-32cm with a 9-14cm tail. They only live for 2-5 years

The stoat is a small predator, that hunts small rodents and rabbits. It can easily kill an adult rabbit, which is much larger than itself, with a bite to the base of the skull. Stoats are active both day and night. They have one litter of six to twelve kits a year.