I also was thinking about stoat, mainly because I was thinking short-tailed weasels don't change fur-color during winter ( at least overhere in Europe ).
I'd say Ermine (also known as Stoat or Short-Tailed Weasel), based on geography. But Long-Tailed Weasels do range into Alberta. I believe Long-Tails turn white in their northern ranges. I don't know that Least Weasels do. The size of the Mouse though....I'm gonna say it's a Long-Tailed Weasel; according to Wikipedia also known as a Big Stout. Did you get a look at it's tail? ;-)
I also was thinking about stoat, mainly because I was thinking short-tailed weasels don't change fur-color during winter ( at least overhere in Europe ).
I think they do in the northern parts of their range in Europe. The white coated animals are known as ermine, their fur is traditionally used to trim the formal robes of noblemen in England.
The research I did seemed to indicate that Long-tailed, Short-tailed, and Least can all be found in the vicinity of Calgary. I did not get a good look at his tail and time has faded the details I did see.
It's a great picture. I've only rarely observed any species of weasel in the wild, other than road kill and Striped Skunks...and I believe they have decided Skunks are no longer weasels anymore. This is a really great photo.
It's a great picture. I've only rarely observed any species of weasel in the wild, other than road kill and Striped Skunks...and I believe they have decided Skunks are no longer weasels anymore. This is a really great photo.
I did a literature review on the skunk situation when I was at Uni - the evidence was very much suggestive that skunks (and stink-badgers, Mydaus sp.) are, as definite as anything ever is in taxonomy, definitely not mustelids.
And well done to Ituri on getting the photo - not always easy things for photography!
