Best time to see: all year
Key facts
The smallest European carnivore, a ferocious little hunter
Habitat: anywhere on land that prey is available
Widespread across the whole of Europe apart from Ireland
Recognition
Reddish brown above and white below; shorter tail (up to 7 cm) than stoat and without black tip; body up to 23 cm
Usually moves in bounding leaps, hind paws landing in the same place as the front paws; diurnal and nocturnal
Feed mainly on voles and mice, sometimes rabbits, birds and eggs
Lifecycle
Nest in a rodent burrow
One or two litters a year, the first usually in April/May, usually 4–6 young
The home range can be up to 60 acres for the male, much less for the female
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