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Mustela erminea

File:Røyskatt_(Mustela_erminea_erminea),_Lista,_Norway.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

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Mustela erminea

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Also known as stoat, short-tailed stoat, ermelin, short-tailed weasel, ermilin, ermine

The stoat (Mustela erminea), also known as the Eurasian ermine or ermine, is a species of mustelid native to Eurasia and the northern regions of North America. Because of its wide circumpolar distribution, it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. The name ermine () is used especially in its pure white winter coat of the stoat or its fur. Ermine fur was used in the 15th century by Catholic monarchs, who sometimes used it as the mozzetta cape. It has long been used on the ceremonial robes of members of the United Kingdom House of Lords. It was also used in capes on images such as the

OverviewAI-generated

Mustela erminea is a species of mammal in the family Mustelidae, order Carnivora, phylum Chordata, and kingdom Animalia. The scientific name was established by Linnaeus in 1758. The organism has a gestation period of 9.5, a litter size of 6, and a longest observed lifespan of 12.5. Its height is 0.2475 and its mass is 0.219. Life expectancy is 5.

The species is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List as of 2016. Records indicate occurrences in Canada, the United States, and Germany. Institutions holding records include CM, UTEP, DMNS, AMNH, and NMU. There are 147,389 occurrence records and 5,907 iDigBio records, including 705 media items. The taxon is referenced by 1,211 other encyclopedia articles.

Synthesized by Vinony from 35 facts across 7 sources: Wikidata, GBIF, Gbif Occ, IUCN Red List, WoRMS, iDigBio, Vinony graph. Generated from structured data (not the Wikipedia text) and checked against those facts — may still contain errors.

Species

Least Concern

Mustela erminea

SPECIES

  1. KingdomAnimalia
  2. PhylumChordata
  3. ClassMammalia
  4. OrderCarnivora
  5. FamilyMustelidae
Observations recorded147,389

via GBIF · IUCN

Museum specimens

Specimen records
5,907
With media
705
Family
Mustelidae
Collections
CM, UTEP, DMNS, AMNH, NMU, CUMV
Recorded in
Canada, United States, Germany
iDigBio →

Bird sounds

  • alarm call, call· Norway· quality A

via Xeno-canto

Wikidata facts

Instance of
taxon
Parent taxon
weasel
Mass
0.219
Image
Røyskatt (Mustela erminea erminea), Lista, Norway.jpg
Height
0.2475
Life expectancy
5
Show 17 more facts
described by source
Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition
taxon rank
species
IUCN conservation status
Least Concern
taxon name
Mustela erminea
Commons gallery
Mustela erminea
Commons category
Mustela erminea
gestation period
9.5
main food source
Ochotona
invasive to
New Zealand
litter size
6
longest observed lifespan
12.5
this taxon is source of
ermine
habitat
forest
endemic to
Alaska
short name
M. erminea
Digital Atlas of Idaho URL
digitalatlas.cose.isu.edu/bio/mammal/Carn/muste/ermi/ermifrm.htm
taxon common name
arminho
Sources (12)

via Wikidata · CC0

~28 min read

Encyclopedic overview

24 sections
Contents
  • Etymology
  • Taxonomy
  • Subspecies
  • Evolution
  • Description
  • Build
  • Fur
  • Distribution and habitat
  • Introduction to New Zealand
  • Behaviour and ecology
  • Reproduction and development
  • Territorial and sheltering behaviour
  • Diet
  • Communication
  • Predators
  • Diseases and parasites
  • In culture
  • Folklore and mythology
  • Milano Cortina 2026
  • Fur use
  • References
  • Citations
  • Bibliography
  • External links

The stoat (Mustela erminea), also known as the Eurasian ermine or ermine, is a species of mustelid native to Eurasia and the northern regions of North America. Because of its wide circumpolar distribution, it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. The name ermine () is used especially in its pure white winter coat of the stoat or its fur. Ermine fur was used in the 15th century by Catholic monarchs, who sometimes used it as the mozzetta cape. It has long been used on the ceremonial robes of members of the United Kingdom House of Lords. It was also used in capes on images such as the Infant Jesus of Prague.

The stoat was introduced into New Zealand in the late 19th century to control rabbits. However, they have had a devastating effect on native bird populations; as such, the species was nominated as one of the world's top 100 "worst invaders".

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Mustela erminea” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

Gallery (45)

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via Wikidata sitelinks · CC0