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Ermine - Mustela erminea (species of mustelid in the genus Mustela)
Ermine, also called weasel or stoat, is a small mammal typically occupying areas of forest land abutted by grassy meadows. Also known as a short-tailed weasel, ermine are highly energetic and intelligent. They range in weight from 0.88 to 4.09 oz and in length 6 - 13 inches. With slender bodies and extraordinary agility, ermine can escape danger and easily hide from threats. Ermine have high energy needs. As such, they hunt incessantly, keeping an abundance of food stores in a cache.

Ermine of often confused with the following animals but they are not the same:


 * Mink
 * Ferret
 * Polecat
 * Marten
 * Fisher

Typically a sable color, an ermine's fur can be mixed with darker browns and tan colors. Cream-colored bellies help with camouflage and to keep the animal cool.

Only theories exist about the ermine's black tail tip. It is believed the black tip helps draw a predator's attention away from the more vulnerable parts of the body, giving the ermine a better chance to escape an attack. Or perhaps, the black tip is used to distract an ermine's prey.

Habitat
Ermine prefer to occupy areas of where forest and grassy meadows are near each other. They require a stream nearby and enough trees to provide a canopy overhead to keep them out of sight from flying predators. However, they avoid dense forests. Ermine usually live in underground burrows, but they will also make caverns in rocks or dens in. Ermine will opportunistically make a home in the burrow made vacant from it killing its own prey.

Special Skills
Ermine are good swimmers and climbers. They are one of few mammals that can descend a tree head-first like a squirrel. Ermine will sometimes hypnotize their prey by jumping, flipping, and making a scene. Only to inch closer to their prey, keeping it hypnotized until close enough to launch onto it and sink its sharp teeth into the base of its skull to dispatch its prey.

Ermines change color. Because ermine are prey to so many other animals they developed a kind of superpower that helps them move about their territory unseen. During the warmer months of the year, ermine retain their brownish-sable colors and cream colored belly. This helps them camouflage against the forest floor. Once snow arrives they can change to all white except for the black tail tip. Once they are white, they blend in with the snow to keep them hidden from predators. Ermines have a unique and interesting gestation process. Typically impregnated around five weeks old while still in their burrow with their mother, female ermine go through a process known as delayed implantation (obligate embryonic diapause). They carry the fertilized eggs in a state colloquially called

'limbo" for up to a year. Once the harshness of winter has passed and food supplies increase, the fertilized eggs move to the womb. It is only once in the womb that the fertilized eggs begin to develop.

Predators and Prey
An ermine has many predators. Both from the sky and the forest floor. Typically, they are hunted by hawks, owls, eagles, fox, coyote, bobcat, and wolves, as well as domesticated cats.

Ermine prefer small rodents as their primary prey, such as mice, small rabbits or squirrels, and chipmunks. But they will also eat small birds, eggs and, bird chicks. In times of food scarcity, they will consume reptiles and insects to help keep their energy requirements met.

Ermine in Literature

 * Lady in Ermine: The Story of a Woman Who Painted the Renaissance by DONNA DIGIUSEPPE
 * Never Tease a Weasel Paperback – Picture Book, May 10, 2011 by Jean Conder Soule (Author), George Booth (Illustrator)


 * Have You Ever Seen An Alaska Ermine? Paperback – February 1, 2016 by Bob Benda