stoat
Mustela erminea

Fierce hunter with long body and bushy black-tipped tail

Habitat: all types from open seashore to bare mountain top

Widespread across the whole of Europe except the south; less common in Essex since the Myxomatosis epidemic cut down the rabbit population

Brown back and yellowish underparts with a black tip to the bushy tail; body up to 30cm and tail about a third as much again; male about 50% bigger than female

Expert hunter, able to swim and climb well, feeding mainly on small mammals, but also small birds and, in hard times, worms, insects, frogs and berries

Move by jumping or hopping, leaving paired tracks; very inquisitive, so can sometimes be 'charmed' into the open if you make squeaking noises

Mating occurs in late spring or summer and the young are not born until the following spring, with between 5 to 12 in a litter

Young stay with the mother for several months until they have learned to hunt

Stoats living in cold regions change their coat to white in winter