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Ermine - MUSTELA ERMINEA
Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia)
The Name "Ermine": "Ermine" is the French word for "Armenian," and is short for "Armenian mouse."
Location: Northern Europe, Asia, and North America.
Habitat: Terrestrial. Woodlands, cultivated land, mountains and hilly areas.
Description: Like all of the other members of this genus, its legs are short. Size varies geographically, Males are usually larger than females, and size also varies geographically. The coat is brown on the back and yellowish-white on the underside. In the winter, in many parts of the world, the coat becomes snow-white, with only the tip of the tail remaining black. The head and body are about eight inches long with a tail of two to four inches. It weighs less than half a pound.
Behavior: The solitary ermine is mainly nocturnal, but sometimes can be seen during the day. It is a skillful climber and an excellent swimmer. It hunts mice, rats, and birds. It can also catch small fish. Sometimes it will steal the eggs from birds' nests. If in danger it emits an unpleasant odor from glands situated at the base of the tail.
Reproduction: Mating takes place in July and August, but there is a delay in implantation. As a result the female gives birth in April or May, after a gestation period of about eight months. Each litter has four or five young. The nest is usually made in cracks among rocks, in old buildings, or in underground burrows.
Go to the Carnivore Page to learn more about all the meat-eating animals.
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