Spot the Difference
Stoat vs Weasel
Stoat vs Weasel
How to separate these mini but mighty mammals.
Stoat
Mustela erminea
- Length Around 24-31 cm body length, with a 9-14 cm tail.
- Weight 140-445 g (males are around twice as heavy as females).
- Tail Long, with a bushy black tip.
- Movement Often bounds along with a strongly arched back.
- Diet Mostly eats rabbits, as well as rodents, birds and their eggs, and other food.
- Tracks Larger footprints with a more irregular heel pad.
Weasel
Mustela nivalis
- Length Around 17-22 cm body length, with a 3-5 cm tail.
- Weight 55-131 g (males are around twice as heavy as females).
- Tail Shorter than a stoat’s and completely brown.
- Movement Usually scurries low to the ground.
- Diet Specialises in hunting mice and voles, but may eat small rabbits, birds and their eggs and other food.
- Tracks Smaller footprints with a more rounded heel pad.
Image credits: Common blue damselfly: Alex Hyde/Naturepl.com; Azure damselfly: Ross Hoddinott/Naturepl.com