Stoat © Margaret Holland
©Richard Steel/2020VISION
Stoat
Scientific name: Mustela erminea
The stoat is a small mustelid, related to the weasel and otter. It has an orange body, black-tipped tail and distinctive bounding gait. Spot it on grassland, heaths and in woodlands across the UK.
Species information
Statistics
Length: 24-32cmTail: 9-14cm
Weight: 140-450g
Average lifespan: 2-5 years
Conservation status
Common.
When to see
January to DecemberAbout
The stoat is a small predator, with a long, low-slung body that makes it particularly well suited to hunting 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 by day and night, and are easiest to spot in open habitats, such as sand dunes, grassland and heathland. They mate in summer, but delay implantation of the fertilised egg until the spring of the following year. They have one litter of six to twelve kits a year.How to identify
The stoat has an orangey-brown back, a creamy white throat and belly, and a black-tipped tail. It is larger than the similar weasel, has a longer tail and has a distinctive bounding gait, arching its back as it moves; weasels do not bound, but run close to the ground.In our area
Stoats are the only truly native member of the mustelids (weasel) family present on the Isle of Man. As with the mountain hare, stoats should moult in autumn to an all-white coat (the true ermine coat) for improved camouflage in the winters snow but here on the Isle of Man the stoats retain a dark brown winter coat, in the same way as the Irish race of stoats. Recent records of this animal have been scarce and it is believed that they may be on the decline – so if you are lucky enough to spot one, please get in touch.