Going Ermine: How Stoats Turn White For Winter | Discover Wildlife | Robert E Fuller

Most people know stoats can turn white in winter. But very few understand exactly how this transition takes place. This film follows a stoat in my garden named Bandita as she slowly performs this magic trick, becoming white and then turning back to brown again as the days get warmer.

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ABOUT THIS FILM
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Ermine stoat

The ability to turn white is known as ermine . It's a genetic trait that passes down through generations.

Weasel or stoat?

Stoats are part of the mustelid family which includes badgers, otters and pine martens . Confusingly, a stoat is called a short-tailed weasel in the US.

Following the transition

The transformation from chestnut brown to white  has rarely been documented. Now I have to captured the entire process on my cameras, from start to finish.  And back again.

Triggered by the environment

The process is triggered by a change in temperature and shorter daylight hours.   

 Moustache first

In this instance, the coat change began in November and began with a few white hairs around her muzzle spreading further up her nose.  Then her tail started to turning white at the point just above its black tip.  The rest of her paws were next, along with the tips of her ears . And soon the new coat progressed up her legs and worked its way up her back until it enveloped most of her body.

The tail remains black

Some stoats turn completely white,  apart from the black tip of their tails , but Bandita retained a brown band across her face like a Bandit’s mask . Which is why I named her Bandita.   

 Moult can take months

The moult of brown fur took Bandita two months to complete.  But, I’ve heard in some cases, a stoat can turn ermine in a week. These fast transitions are called a catastrophic moults. 

 Shedding the coat faster

As winter comes to an end, stoats stand out against the green and brown landscape . But as the days get longer and temperatures start to rise again, the coat soon turns back to chestnut-brown.  This is a faster process, taking around three weeks  and the stoat's fur can be mottled and patchy as it changes.

Genetic predisposition

Unfortunately, Bandita no longer lives in my garden, but many of her young are still around. Recently I spotted a partially ermine stoat on my cameras at Fotherdale. Fingers crossed it sticks around so I can capture this incredible process again.   

ABOUT ME
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I am a British wildlife artist and filmmaker on a mission to share my love for wildlife with the world. As well as creating detailed animal film and art portraits, I promote wildlife tours around the world and do all I can to help conserve and protect wildlife here at my home in Yorkshire. I hope that by putting nature in the frame I can foster a deep love for wildlife amongst my followers.

Of course, you may like to purchase my artwork which you can find on my website: https://www.robertefuller.com. Many of my paintings are portraits of the wonderful characters you watch here!

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© Robert E Fuller

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