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Stoat

Mammals

The stoat, also called the ermine or short-tailed weasel, is a small carnivorous mammal native to North America, Europe and Asia, recognized by its long slender body, short legs and a black-tipped tail that remains black even when its fur turns white in winter in colder parts of its range. It is an agile and persistent hunter of small mammals, particularly rabbits and rodents, often pursuing prey directly into burrows, and it can take prey substantially larger than itself. Stoats were deliberately introduced to New Zealand in the nineteenth century to control rabbit populations, where they have since become a major threat to native birds with no natural defenses against such a predator. In its native range the species remains widespread and is classified as being of least concern.

Facts
Classification
Diet
Carnivore 1
System (Realm)
Terrestrial 2
Relationship to People
Hunted or Fished 1
Relationship to People
Invasive or Introduced Species 1
Living or Extinct
Yes 1
Derived from this species' own Conservation Status: this atlas's IUCN category list has no Extinct value, so a set conservation-status is itself evidence of living status.
Identification
Distinguishing Appearance
Small mustelid that grows a pure white winter coat (ermine) in colder parts of its range, historically used as fur trim on royal and ceremonial robes. 1
Comparison
NatureServe Rank
GNR Unranked 3
CITES Appendix
Not Listed 4
Scientific Name
Mustela erminea 1
Conservation Status
Least Concern 1
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Mustelidae, Taxa
Source Catalogue of Life

In Biome

Boreal Forest, Biomes
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Mustela erminea (Animal Diversity Web)
Tundra, Biomes
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Mustela erminea (Animal Diversity Web)

In Ecosystem

Lake Baikal, Ecosystems
Source Wikidata: Tiger
Additional Source Wikipedia: Lake BaikalArticle text
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Australia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Belgium

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Denmark

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Indonesia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Kazakhstan

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Kyrgyzstan

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

New Zealand

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

North America

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Norway

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Russia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

South Asia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sweden

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Tajikistan

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Ukraine

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

United States

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Uzbekistan

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. Stoat (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Wikipedia: Stoat, introduction
    The stoat (Mustela erminea), also known as the Eurasian ermine or ermine, is a species of mustelid native to Eurasia and the northern regions of North America.
  • Wikipedia: Stoat, introduction, IUCN status sentence
    Because of its wide circumpolar distribution, it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
  • Wikipedia: Stoat, introduction, ermine name sentence
    The name ermine () is used especially in its pure white winter coat of the stoat or its fur.
  • Introduction
    The stoat was introduced into New Zealand in the late 19th century to control rabbits. However, they have had a devastating effect on native bird populations; as such, the species was nominated as one of the world's top 100 "worst invaders".
View the Source
2. Stoat (Wikidata)
Wikidata
  • Statements section, habitat (P2974): Terrestrial
    Wikidata habitat statement (P2974) resolves to a terrestrial habitat type.
  • Wikidata Q25345 (P1034 main food source): Arvicola amphibius
    Main food source (Wikidata property P1034): Arvicola amphibius.
View the Source
3. NatureServe Explorer: Mustela erminea
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)
Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "GNR"
View the Source
4. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Mustela erminea (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
  • Conservation Status: CITES
    CITES No special status
  • In Biome: Boreal Forest, Habitat: Terrestrial Biomes
    Terrestrial Biomes tundra tundra taiga taiga savanna or grassland savanna or grassland forest forest scrub forest scrub forest mountains mountains
  • In Biome: Tundra, Habitat: Terrestrial Biomes
    Terrestrial Biomes tundra tundra taiga taiga savanna or grassland savanna or grassland forest forest scrub forest scrub forest mountains mountains
View the Source
Wikidata: Stoat
Wikidata Q25345, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source
Catalogue of Life
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of LifeChild Taxon Of: MustelidaeView the Source
Wikipedia: Lake Baikal
WikipediaIn Ecosystem: Lake Baikal, Article text
Quote, In Ecosystem: Lake Baikal, Article text
be found in the habitats around the lake, such as the brown bear (Ursus arctos), Eurasian wolf (Canis lupus lupus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), sable (Martes zibellina), stoat (Mustela erminea), least weasel (Mustela nivalis), Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), snow leopard (Panthera uncia), Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), Amur
View the Source
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