Please help me identify...

[abbey_crunch]

Hello Folks,

I'm new here, I found the forum as I've been trying to find out what little creature I saw this morning!

I was at the train station (near loch lomond) and I saw this little chap, who was running very quickly, then stopped. He was a very light brown colour, with a white throat, he was similar to a polecat, but with more of a eurasian otters face, but had no long tail. I got quite a good look, and he had a little short triangular tail. He was about the size of a rat, but he was very very clean!

Can ANYone help me? I just can't find what he was!

Kate

xxx

[abbey_crunch]

On further inspection, it looked very familiar to a weasel, but like I say, had no tail? Does such a weasel exist?

[Madelinew]

He may have lost his tail in a fight or accident. Does this link help?

Cheshire Wildlife Trust, WATCH Weasel fascinating facts

[demicav]

Weasels have a shorter tail than a Stoat but they do have a tail. Maybe it had lost it in an accident .

[abbey_crunch]

It was very similar to that pic body-shape wise, however its face was more snub, like an otters! - and where a tail may be, was a small neat triangle type tail!

I am perplexed! - He was so beautiful, as though he'd escaped from a zoo or something!

[Dogghound]

Sounds very similar to a weasel or small stoat, could have lost its tail, or just had an abnormally short tail, as far as im aware there are no mustelids without a tail.

[Meles meles]

I agree with Dogghound, Mustelids normaly have tails.
It does sound more like a stoat, Possibly lost its tail and over time the tail hairs have grown forming a triangular shape. Shame you couldnt see its tail, Its normaly a dead give away as to what it is. Size could be another thing.

If you see it again and it hides in a bush etc they say you can get a stoat out by gently squeaking from behind a bush. Sounds crazy i know (never tried it personally)

[fisherontheriver]

It may have also been a mink, ive seen then in all colours from black though dark brown to grey. Was there water near by and there faces can look otter like.

[eeyore]

mink are somewhat bigger than a rat tho

[fisherontheriver]

Yes i agree somewhat bigger
ive recently seen quiet afew younge ones around and seen their tracks
just thought it was a possibilaty