Stoat or Weasel?

shenk1 · #21 (**permalink**) 18-07-2011, 07:53 PM

I'm not promising anything but I'll try and hold back

momji1971 · #22 (**permalink**) 19-07-2011, 11:02 AM

Thanks for the help. I didn't want to post images to the Gallery until I had a positive ID. But realise now it may have helped!

Glad you like the pics.

Could I ask, what are gular spots?

regards.
Stu.

The Woodman · #23 (**permalink**) 19-07-2011, 11:18 AM

Gular refers the throat area and therefore the spots in that area are "gular spots"

Individual animals can be recognised by the shape and pattern of the spots and gular "bib" the cream or white patch under the throat. Pine Martens, Stoats and Weasels are the candidates for this method of individual ID.

Stoats and Weasels have a continued "bib" that runs the underside length of the body and the differences can normally be seen at the throat edges.

Just have a look at Google images for each species and see how they vary.

thunder · #24 (**permalink**) 19-07-2011, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Gular refers the throat area and therefore the spots in that area are "gular spots"

Individual animals can be recognised by the shape and pattern of the spots and gular "bib" the cream or white patch under the throat. Pine Martens, Stoats and Weasels are the candidates for this method of individual ID.

Stoats and Weasels have a continued "bib" that runs the underside length of the body and the differences can normally be seen at the throat edges.

Just have a look at Google images for each species and see how they vary.

Stoats have a much straighter line between brown uppers and white lowers, except in Ireland. As far as I know they don't have readily distinguishable patterns.

Weasels have an irregular line between brown and white, so much so that individuals can be recognised by their pattern. Sometimes there is a separate throat spot ( and separate spots further along the body).

I have looked at my dogs and am sure that this apparent gular spot is a whisker pit - I don't know if it my be connected to a scent gland as well.

henrya

Dogghound · #25 (**permalink**) 20-07-2011, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thunder

I have looked at my dogs and am sure that this apparent gular spot is a whisker pit - I don't know if it my be connected to a scent gland as well.

henrya

I agree I think they do have a scent gland attached to this whisker pit. I have seen them rubbing this on objects in the past, possibly scent marking?

momji1971 · #26 (**permalink**) 20-07-2011, 07:34 PM

Thanks for all the help. Like to learn as much as poss about my target species as it helps in the future.

Not sure if you can make it out on the upload but bottom left behind the ear he/she has managed to pick up a passenger, a tick! Hate these things. Spent far to much time on winter nights picking them from rescued hogs!

Once again, thanks for sharing all the info.

Kind regards.
Stu.

thunder · #27 (**permalink**) 21-07-2011, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogghound

I agree I think they do have a scent gland attached to this whisker pit. I have seen them rubbing this on objects in the past, possibly scent marking?

Sounds sensible (scentsible?

) to me! Wonder why they have such and array of scent glands - presumably different glands have different purposes?

henrya

thunder · #28 (**permalink**) 21-07-2011, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momji1971

Thanks for all the help. Like to learn as much as poss about my target species as it helps in the future.

Not sure if you can make it out on the upload but bottom left behind the ear he/she has managed to pick up a passenger, a tick! Hate these things. Spent far to much time on winter nights picking them from rescued hogs!

Once again, thanks for sharing all the info.

Kind regards.
Stu.

Can see it now you have pointed it out! Probably one of the Ixodes
species.

henrya