Stoat activity

[VinceS]

Whilst out yesterday I was watching a very active stoat and only managed to get a poor photo. I was wondering if anyone has information on the habits of stoats - do they stay in the same area? are they territorial?
Can anybody point me in the right direction to find this information.

Vince

[Dogghound]

Stoats have ranges that can vary from anything from 2 to 180-200 hectors. This is dependant on food availability, habitat and sex. A male often has a larger territory. In big territories a stoat will spend a couple of days in each section of it. They can also travel great distances whilst on the hunt anything up to 8km. Outside the breeding season both males and females are very territorial. In the breeding season the females stay territorial but a non-territorial male often roams between several female territories. Mating occurs between May-June. Birth April-May, this is due to delayed implantation in stoats. Hope this is the info you require.

Also stoats are generally very active animals, which will have periods of high activity then periods of rest several times in 24 hours.

[VinceS]

Thanks for that information Dogghound, much appreciated.

Vince