Ermine, Short-tailed Weasel, or Stoat
Mustela erminea
Ron Logan shared this photo of an ermine in his winter coat. In the summer it has a sandy brown coat that is shorter and sparser than the winter one. Both coats have black fur on the tip of the tail. In spring the molt begins slowly at the forehead, travels across the back, and then proceeds to the belly. In fall the molt is quicker and travels in the reverse direction.
Male ermine are larger than females - ranging from 7.4 inches to 12.8, females between 6.7 to 10.6 inches.
Ermine take over nests used by rodent prey and use rodent skins to warm the nest. They mate from April through July with a gestation period of 280 days.
Like skunks, ermine have large anal scent glands that excrete a musky order when attacked.
Mustela erminea
Ron Logan shared this photo of an ermine in his winter coat. In the summer it has a sandy brown coat that is shorter and sparser than the winter one. Both coats have black fur on the tip of the tail. In spring the molt begins slowly at the forehead, travels across the back, and then proceeds to the belly. In fall the molt is quicker and travels in the reverse direction.
Male ermine are larger than females - ranging from 7.4 inches to 12.8, females between 6.7 to 10.6 inches.
Ermine take over nests used by rodent prey and use rodent skins to warm the nest. They mate from April through July with a gestation period of 280 days.
Like skunks, ermine have large anal scent glands that excrete a musky order when attacked.