The stoat, also known as the ermine in its winter coat, is a small mammal belonging to the weasel family, Mustelidae. It has a slender body, short legs, and a long tail, typically measuring about 25 to 30 centimeters in length. Stoats are found across Europe, Asia, and North America, thriving in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and tundra. Stoats are known for their agility and hunting skills, primarily preying on small mammals like rabbits and rodents. They have a distinctive brown coat in summer, which turns white in winter, providing camouflage in snowy environments. Stoats are solitary animals and are most active during dawn and dusk.