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• The ermine is capable of attacking animals larger than itself, such as hares, rabbits, partridges, and grey partridges. This occurs during lean years when primary food sources are insufficient.
• Female ermine up to 60–70 days old may be successfully mated by adult males — a unique case among mammals.
• Newborn ermines are born blind, toothless, with closed ear canals, covered in sparse white fur.
• The ermine hunts large rodents such as the water vole and the Siberian chipmunk, catching them in their burrows and under the snow.
• The ermine kills its prey by biting the back of the skull, like the weasel. This method is used when hunting rodents, insects, and fish.
• Female ermines reach sexual maturity at 2–3 months of age, whereas males mature much later—at 11–14 months.
• The stoat changes colour: brown in summer, white in winter.
• The stoat is very fast and flexible.
• It is active day and night.
• Females are smaller than males.