Stoat
The stoat (Mustela erminea), also known as the Eurasian ermine, Beringian ermine and ermine, is a mustelid native to Eurasia and the northern portions of North America. Because of its wide circumpolar distribution, it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.[1] It is distinct from the long-tailed weasel (Neogale frenata), also known as the "masked ermine", or "big stoat"; the two species are visually similar, especially the black tail tip.
The name ermine (/ˈɜːrmɪn/) is used for species in the genus Mustela, especially the stoat, in its pure white winter coat, or the fur thereof.[2] Introduced into New Zealand in the late 19th c...read more