Ermine is a predatory animal of the Kunyah family. Small and very fast animal. A sly hunter who knows how to dance and moves with the speed of the wind. In this article you will find a description and photo of the Ermine, learn a lot of unexpected and interesting things about this nosy predator.
How does ermine look like?
Ermine looks very small. However, despite its small size, it is a predator. The animal has a long body and short legs. The head of the Ermine has a triangular shape and rounded ears of small size, as well as an elongated neck. The body length is about 30 cm. The length of the tail varies up to 12 cm. The maximum weight of the ermine is 260 g. Males are twice as big as females.
Depending on the season, the ermine looks different, because the ermine changes its color. Winter stoat becomes completely white. In winter, the ermine looks more fluffy because the fur becomes soft and thicker. In summer, ermine has a two-color color. The upper part of the body is reddish-brown, the lower part is yellowish-white, and the fur of the ermine becomes rough and rare. Only the tip of its tail remains black all year round.
The winter color of the Ermine's Ermine is mainly characteristic of the northern regions. Spring and autumn are the spring and autumn months for the Rough-legged Buzzard. In spring, the head is the first to moult, then the back and then the stomach. In autumn, moulting begins in reverse order. Animals in the southern regions do not change their hair color in winter. It's just that in winter, their wool becomes thicker.
Externally, the ermine looks very much like a weasel. But unlike weasel, it is larger and has a black tip of its tail. Another difference between ermine and weasel is the value of fur, tail length and preferences in food. Ermine is a valuable fur animal of the Kunyah family with a longer tail and is hunting for larger prey than weasel.
Where does ermine live and how does it live?
Ermine lives in North America, Europe and Asia. It is found everywhere, from the shores of the Arctic Ocean to the southern seas, from the Baltic States to Sakhalin. Ermines live in forest steppes, river valleys, fields, tundra and taiga. It has been brought to New Zealand to control the rabbit population, but very unsuccessfully. Ermines bred rapidly and turned into a pest, destroying young and aboriginal birds' eggs, especially kiwifruit.
Ermines live in areas with high rodent abundance. And also the animal loves water. Therefore, Ermine Ermine often lives near water bodies, lakes, coastal meadows and streams. More often than not, the animal cannot be found in the forest, he prefers to live in the woods of edges, beams, ravines. Sometimes the Ermine Ermine lives next to a man, in gardens, parks, on the outskirts of the city.
A small predator leads a predominantly single lifestyle. It has its own territory, the boundaries of which are separated. The size of this area varies from 10 to 20 hectares. Males have a plot twice as large as females. Animals live separately and only cross during the breeding season. Exceptions are mothers with broods. In years when food is scarce, ermine infestations move for considerable distances, leaving their sites.
Ermine is active mainly in the twilight and at night, and sometimes occurs during the day. Predators are unpretentious in their choice of shelters. It can be found in the most unexpected places - for example, in a haystack, a pile of stones or an old stump. It can occupy hollows of trees. Quite often, the ermine occupies the burrows of the rodents it kills. Ermine does not dig its own holes. In winter, it has no permanent shelter and enjoys shelters under fallen trees, rocks or roots of trees.
The Ermine is a very sharp and jovial animal, it is very fast. The animal swims well, dives and easily climbs the trees. Often sits on a tree in case of danger or threat of enemy attack. Usually the Ermine lives quietly and silently, but gets excited loudly, hisses and chirps.
A predatory ermine is very brave and bloodthirsty. In a desperate situation, he runs the risk of throwing himself even at a man. The natural enemies of the Ermine are the fox, sable, badger, marten and large birds of prey. Ermine lives from 2 to 6 years. Ermine has another serious enemy - a man.
Despite the prevalence of predators, the number of Ermines has fallen due to hunting. Fur-bearing animal is exterminated by man because of the value of fur. Ermine is also exterminated because of the damage caused to the economy: the animal destroys hens and laying eggs. However, ermine is useful for the destruction of rodents and controls their population.
to be continued in the next part