hermine

Ermine refers to the winter coat of the stoat, Mustela erminea, a small carnivorous mammal in the family Mustelidae. The term also designates the fur itself, which has been valued for ceremonial garments and, in heraldry, for a distinct white-and-black pattern known as ermine.

The stoat, or ermine, is found across much of Europe, Asia, and North America, occupying woodlands, grasslands, and shrublands. It is a slender, agile predator with a long body, short legs, and a tail about a third of its length. Its fur changes with the seasons: in northern regions it becomes predominantly white in winter, with the tail tip remaining black; in southern areas the winter coat may be more pale or grayish. The summer coat is brown on the back with a white underside. Body length typically ranges from about 11 to 26 cm, with a tail of 5 to 12 cm; weight varies seasonally, generally a few hundred grams.

Stoats are territorial and solitary hunters, pursuing prey such as voles, mice, rabbits, and birds, often entering burrows. They are capable climbers and swimmers. Breeding usually occurs in spring; after a gestation of several weeks, females produce litters of multiple young. In the wild, life expectancy is commonly 1–2 years, though individuals may live longer in captivity.

Ermine fur was historically prized in Europe and associated with royalty. In heraldry, ermine denotes a stylized white field with black spots representing the fur’s pattern, rather than an actual garment. The species is currently widespread and not generally considered threatened.