ID for Stoat or Weasel?

[htcdude]

Hi all,

Whilst out walking today I stumbled across this little fella who nicely posed for me for a few seconds! Am I right in thinking this is a Weasel?

Also it looked quite small, I thought it was a rat at first!



Thanks,

Nige

[Dogghound]

Yes its a weasel

[htcdude]

Great thanks Dan

Nige

[The Woodman]

Note how the toes splay out, particularly the right foot in the image. Prints are very "open" and distinctive. Nice chance shot!

[htcdude]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Note how the toes splay out, particularly the right foot in the image. Prints are very "open" and distinctive. Nice chance shot!

Thanks Woodman

Does the toe splaying not occur in Stoats then?

Nige

[Wharfrat]

It's not often that there's a chance to say this but "the weasel is weaselly identified because the stoat is stoatally different!"

[The Woodman]

Originally Posted by htcdude

Thanks Woodman

Does the toe splaying not occur in Stoats then?

Nige

Yes but they are respectively bigger. From my experience the similar sized species like Mink and Polecat prints can be difficult to distinguish, I find that Mink prints are naturally more splayed, Polecats are not so and are more together. It's not easy, there are so many variables.

[htcdude]

Excellent thanks for the tip Woodman.


And wharfrat - thanks for that, made me laugh

Nige

[Billabong Karen]

Nice photo!

[htcdude]

Originally Posted by Billabong Karen

Nice photo!

Thanks Karen!

Nige