Close up shot of a stoat waiting in the grass
Stoat
Scientific Name:
Mustela erminea
Description:
A small brownish-ruddy coat with a white underside and a black-tipped tail. Close relative of the weasel and the otter.
Size:
Between 24-32cm in length and can weigh between 140-450g.
Preferred habitats:
Woodland, grassland and moorland.
Diet:
Rabbits and smaller rodents.
Lifespan:
2-5 years

Breeding

Stoats mate in late Summer, but will give birth in the following Spring. A typical litter will have 6 – 12 kits.

 

Where do they live in the Forest?

In woodland and grassland, hunting for rabbits, small mammals and birds.

 

Natural predators

Hawks, owls and foxes, as well as occasionally domestic cats.

 

Spotting tips

Look for stoats hunting rabbits in open habitats such as grasslands, or crossing country lanes and roads.

 

Not to be confused with

Weasels. The easiest way to distinguish between a stoat and a weasel is the tail. Stoats have black tipped bushy tails, whereas weasels have sleeker all brown tails. They also move differently – stoats have a distinctive bounding gait, while weasels run close to the ground.

 

How you can help

You could become a Friend of the Forest and support our work creating and maintaining habitats for wildlife.