Ermine vs. Stoat — What's the Difference?

A stoat in its white winter phase.

Found in a variety of habitats across the Northern Hemisphere.

The fur of the stoat used in clothing or as a trim.

Known for its distinctive black-tipped tail.

A representation of this animal in heraldry and fine art.

A small carnivorous mammal known for its seasonal fur color change.

The white winter coat of the stoat, especially when used as a symbol of purity or in ceremonial robes.

The name used to describe the animal outside its winter phase.

Used historically to denote high social status or nobility.

Valued for its fur in the fashion industry, albeit controversially.

A weasel (Mustela erminea) native to northern regions, having a black-tipped tail and dark brown fur that in winter changes to white. Also called stoat.

The stoat or short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea), also known as the Eurasian ermine, Beringian ermine, or simply just ermine, is a mustelid native to Eurasia and the northern portions 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 for species in the genus Mustela, especially the stoat, in its pure white winter coat, or the fur thereof.Introduced in the late 19th century into New Zealand to control rabbits, the stoat has had a devastating effect on native bird populations.

The commercially valuable white fur of this animal.

See ermine.

A weasel found in northern latitudes (Mustela erminea in Eurasia, Alaska, and the Arctic, Mustela haidarum in Haida Gwaii, Mustela richardsonii in the rest of North America); its dark brown fur turns white in winter, apart from the black tip of the tail.

The fur of this animal, especially in its brown summer phase.

The white fur of this animal, traditionally seen as a symbol of purity and used for judges' robes.

, the ermine or short-tailed weasel, a mustelid native to Eurasia and North America, distinguished from the least weasel by its larger size and longer tail with a prominent black tip.

The office of a judge.

The ermine in its summer pelage, when it is reddish brown, but with a black tip to the tail. The name is sometimes applied also to other brown weasels.

(tincture) A white field with black spots.

The ermine in its brown summer coat with black-tipped tail

Any of various moths, especially in the family Yponomeutidae

(tincture) In blazon, of the colour ermine (white with black spots).

To clothe with ermine.

A valuable fur-bearing animal of the genus Mustela (M. erminea), allied to the weasel; the stoat. It is found in the northern parts of Asia, Europe, and America. In summer it is brown, but in winter it becomes white, except the tip of the tail, which is always black.

The fur of the ermine, as prepared for ornamenting garments of royalty, etc., by having the tips of the tails, which are black, arranged at regular intervals throughout the white.

By metonymy, the office or functions of a judge, whose state robe, lined with ermine, is emblematical of purity and honor without stain.

One of the furs. See Fur (Her.)

To clothe with, or as with, ermine.

The expensive white fur of the ermine

Mustelid of northern hemisphere in its white winter coat

Stoats can be found across the Northern Hemisphere, adapting to a wide range of habitats from forests to grasslands.

No, the behavior remains consistent; the difference lies in the seasonal fur color for camouflage and temperature regulation.

As of the last assessment, stoats (ermine) are not considered endangered globally, but local populations may face threats from habitat loss and other pressures.

The stoat changes color to camouflage with its environment, white in snow-covered landscapes and brown in warmer, snowless conditions.

A stoat can be identified by its size, behavior, and notably the black tip on its tail, which remains throughout its color changes.

The color change is triggered by daylight length and temperature, with the fur growing in white during shorter, colder days and reverting to brown as days lengthen and temperatures rise.

While stoats can be captivating, their wild nature and predation habits make them unsuitable and challenging to keep as pets.

Stoats are carnivorous, feeding on rodents, birds, and occasionally larger prey relative to their size.

As predators, stoats help control populations of rodents and other small animals, playing a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance.

Ermines are often depicted as symbols of purity, nobility, and status in heraldry and art, reflecting their historical association with European aristocracy.