Ermine

Mustela erminea

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
AMAJF02070
Common Name: 
Ermine
Scientific Name: 
Mustela erminea
Synonyms: 
Mustela richardsonii
American ermine, stoat
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Carnivora
Family: 
Mustelidae
References: 
B001
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

If born in spring, can mate that summer.
References: 
B112

Longevity

Maximum 4 to 5 years.
References: 
B052

Economic/Human Considerations

Important fur bearer
References: 
B001
Habitat
Boreal coniferous or mixed forest, tundra, meadow boundaries, shrubby river banks and lake shores.
References: 
B001
Distribution

Ecozones

Arctic Cordillera, Northern Arctic, Southern Arctic, Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
B112

Distribution

100% of the NWT.
Score: 
G = 2
References: 
B112

Area of Occupancy

Score: 
-
References: 
B052
Population

Population Size

Annual harvest data: 1960s = 5,000, 1990s = <500. Total numbers unknown, but >10,000 (H116).
Score: 
F = 1
References: 
H116
R120

Density

Depends on habitat and time of year.
Trends

Trends

Annual fluctuations and yearly cycles depending on prey populations.
References: 
B052
Threats

Threats

Potential over-harvest.
Score: 
C = M
References: 
B052
H116

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Score: 
-
References: 
B052
H116
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
S Rank: 
S5
Decision Process Description: 
Reviewed in 2004, no new information - no change in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 15, 2024

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • King C (1989) The Natural History of Weasels & Stoats. Christopher Helm Ltd and Cornell University Press RWED Library Call #QL737.C25K5 - B052 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Habitat

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • King C (1989) The Natural History of Weasels & Stoats. Christopher Helm Ltd and Cornell University Press RWED Library Call #QL737.C25K5 - B052 Return
  • Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return

Longevity

  • King C (1989) The Natural History of Weasels & Stoats. Christopher Helm Ltd and Cornell University Press RWED Library Call #QL737.C25K5 - B052 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Population Size

Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return
,
Corporate Services, NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (1999) Game Licencing System: Individual Trapping Summary. summary in excel file generated by Guy Erasmus (S:\Guy\Furstats by species 1957 - 1997) - R120 Return

Range Extent

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Short Term Trends

  • King C (1989) The Natural History of Weasels & Stoats. Christopher Helm Ltd and Cornell University Press RWED Library Call #QL737.C25K5 - B052 Return

Taxonomy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Threats

  • King C (1989) The Natural History of Weasels & Stoats. Christopher Helm Ltd and Cornell University Press RWED Library Call #QL737.C25K5 - B052 Return
  • Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return