Stoat

Stoat - Mustela erminea.jpg
Scientific Name: 
Mustela erminea
Weight: 
Up to 450g
Speed: 
Length: 30-4Up to 450g5cm (Body length 20-30cm, Tail length 10-15cm
Life Span: 
Up to 10 years
Description: 
Creamy white underparts, which are more apparent when it sits upright, with a brown head, back and flanks - the end of it's tail is black tipped. In winter the Stoat's coat may turn completely white, apart from the tail tip.
Distribution: 
Found throughout much of the UK, but only in small numbers, though surveying mustelid populations is extremely difficult.
Habitat: 
Found in a variety of rural and semi-rural areas.
Reproduction: 
Most young female stoats are mated while they are still in the nest. They exhibit delayed implantation.
Predators: 
Foxes, Owls and other raptors.
Status: 
Stoat numbers declined significantly following the outbreak of Myxomatosis, which wiped out their principal prey item. Numbers increased following the recovery of the rabbit population, but habitat and land use change has resulted in a decline in recent years.
Did You Know?: 
Most stoats have some infection by the parasitic nematode Skrabingylus, it inhabits the sinuses and eventually leads to death. In unmanaged populations, the worms cause significant mortality.
Footprint Images: 
a20_009_P_.JPG
Footprint Description: 

Tiny prints, only usually found in extremely soft ground such as silt.

Forefoot track has 5 digital pads, with distinct claws which give the toes a pointed appearance. Interdigital or heel pad has 3 distinct lobes. 

Hind foot, similarly has 5 digital pads, with the heel pad having 4 prominent lobes.Similar to forefoot tracks, the claws often give the hind toes a pointed appearance. 

Usual gait has stride of around 20cm, fast bounding gait spreads the tracks further, up to 50cm apart. 

When moving slowly eg foraging, the tracks may be left in a very irregular pattern. 

Footprint Size: 
Fore foot - 2x2.2cm, hind foot - 4x2.5cm.
Images of Tracks & Signs: 
Stoat_Kill_P_.JPG
Tracks & Signs Description: 
Stoats usually kill larger prey such as Rabbits in typical mustelid fashion by a bite to the back of the neck.The image above shows one such example - the bite mark can clearly be seen.
Droppings Description: 
Stoat droppings are  usually 4-8cm in length, and with twisted fur at both ends. The droppings are coiled and twisted within themselves and have a strong musty odour when fresh. Odour fades in time, as does colour.Most often found in the den, but also deposited randomly around the territory. They usually exhibit a wide variety of food remains, such as fur,bone fragments, remains of feathers.