looduskalender.ee

Weasel

 

 

 

The day is so murky that a weasel or a stoat in its snow white coat is easily noticed by all who are driving in forested areas (Christmas tree hunters are after all moving around). Quite similar to look at, the weasel somewhat smaller with a white tail tip while the stoat’s tail tip is black as in summer. This is why people have called it ermine: royal robes and those of the nobility often had white fur trimmings with black spots - the black tail tips of the stoat. Today it can still be seen in fairy-tale book illustrations, and in historical films too.

 

With such a new beautiful white coat it is actually dangerous to move around – not that it would get dirtied but they are clearly visible targets for birds of prey and owls.

 

The body length of a stoat with its black tail tip is over 15 centimetres and up to 30 centimetres. The tail is 10 centimetres, longer on larger individuals, shorter on smaller. Some large male can weigh nearly 400 grams, but on average the weight stays at about a couple of hundred grams.

 

The weasel or lesser weasel is the smallest predator in North Europe, weight only about 50 grams and tail length about 10 centimetres. Females are a little smaller but this is difficult to see. Their territory is small, only maybe three hectares.

 

Moles as well as voles and of course mice are hunted. Weasels are more skilled in catching the latter; because of their small size they can get inside mouse burrows. More about their winter life when snow is on the ground.