Ferret vs. Stoat — What's the Difference?

Part of the family Mustelidae.

White winter coat.

Long and narrow physique.

Difficult to spot in the wild.

Tamed for living with humans.

Hunts prey in natural environments.

Kept primarily for companionship.

Distinctive feature for identification.

Used to control pests.

Belongs to the same family as ferrets and weasels.

The ferret (Mustela furo) is a domestic species of small mustelid. The only domesticated species in Mustelidae, it is thought to be a descendant of the European polecat, a mammal belonging to the same genus as the weasel, Mustela.

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.

A domesticated mustelid mammal (Mustela furo syn. Mustela putorius subsp. furo) with an elongated flexible body, often kept as a pet and sometimes trained to hunt rats or rabbits.

See ermine.

A black-footed ferret.

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

A narrow piece of tape used to bind or edge fabric.

, 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.

To hunt (rabbits, for example) with ferrets.

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.

To drive out, as from a hiding place; expel.

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

To uncover and bring to light by searching. Often used with out

To hound or harry persistently; worry.

To engage in hunting with ferrets.

To search intensively.

An often domesticated mammal (Mustela putorius furo) rather like a weasel, descended from the polecat and often trained to hunt burrowing animals.

The black-footed ferret, Mustela nigripes.

(figurative) A diligent searcher.

(dated) A tape of silk, cotton, or ribbon, used to tie documents, clothing, etc. or along the edge of fabric.

To hunt game with ferrets.

To uncover and bring to light by searching; usually to ferret out.

An animal of the Weasel family (Mustela furo syn. Putorius furo), about fourteen inches in length, of a pale yellow or white color, with red eyes. It is a native of Africa, but has been domesticated in Europe. Ferrets are used to drive rabbits and rats out of their holes. They are sometimes kept as pets.

A kind of narrow tape, usually made of woolen; sometimes of cotton or silk; - called also ferreting.

The iron used for trying the melted glass to see if is fit to work, and for shaping the rings at the mouths of bottles.

To drive or hunt out of a lurking place, as a ferret does the cony; to search out by patient and sagacious efforts; - often used with out; as, to ferret out a secret.

Ferret of prairie regions of United States; nearly extinct

Domesticated albino variety of the European polecat bred for hunting rats and rabbits

Hound or harry relentlessly

Hunt with ferrets

Search and discover through persistent investigation;

No, ferrets are domesticated, while stoats are wild predators.

Yes, ferrets as pets can live where stoats naturally occur.

Stoats are not typically dangerous to humans but can be aggressive if threatened.

Their fur adapts to blend with snowy environments.

Yes, both are members of the mustelid family.

No, ferret fur does not change color with seasons, but stoats turn white in winter.

The stoat has a distinctive black-tipped tail and changes its coat color.

No, they are distinct species and cannot be crossbred.

Yes, they are playful and social, making them suitable for households.

Ferrets are descended from the wild European polecat.

They primarily hunt small mammals, birds, and insects.

In some areas, stoats are considered invasive and problematic for local wildlife.

Yes, they need socialization, a suitable diet, and ample playtime.

No, stoats are wild animals and cannot be fully domesticated.

Stoats help control populations of small mammals and maintain ecological balance.