Lumikko

Lumikko is the Finnish common name for the stoat, Mustela erminea, particularly in its white winter fur. The term translates roughly as "snow weasel" and is used in Finnish natural history to describe the small carnivoran in its ermine phase. The species belongs to the family Mustelidae and has a Holarctic distribution.

In appearance, lumikko is a small, slender mammal. Adults typically measure around 17 to 31 centimeters in body length with a tail of about 6 to 12 centimeters; weight varies but is usually under one kilogram. In winter, many northern populations grow a white fur coat (ermine) with the tail tip remaining dark.

Distribution and habitat cover a wide range across Europe, northern Asia, and parts of North America. In Finland, lumikko is common in forests, open woodlands, and edge habitats where it can hunt small mammals and birds. It is adaptable to seasonal snow cover, often using snow tunnels and runways to chase prey.

Behavior and diet describe a largely solitary and territorial animal. It is an active predator, feeding primarily on small mammals such as voles and lemmings, but also birds and eggs when available. Its hunting strategy relies on speed, stealth, and the ability to exploit subnivean spaces beneath the snow.

Reproduction occurs with a relatively short breeding season, followed by a gestation period and a litter of several kits. Lumikko has a conservation status of least concern in most regions, though populations can be affected by habitat modification and fur trade in some areas. In culture, the term evokes winter imagery and the snowy landscape of northern Europe.