https://www.paralympic.org/feature/milano-cortina-2026-winter-games-mascots
A stoat (*Mustela erminea), also known as a Eurasian ermine, is a small, carnivorous mammal in the weasel family (Mustelidae), characterized by its long, slender body, short legs, and a distinctive black tip on its tail, known for its agility, speed, and tendency to change to a white coat in winter, called ermine. These resourceful hunters are found across Eurasia and North America, preying on small animals like rodents, and are recognized for their ability to hunt in burrows and their territorial nature. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
Key Characteristics:
- Appearance: Brown/ginger fur on top, white underneath in summer, with a black tail tip; turns pure white (ermine) in winter in colder climates. [2, 3]
- Size: Small, with a body length of 24-32 cm and a tail of 9-14 cm, weighing 140-450g. [7]
- Habitat: Prefers areas with cover like grasslands, farmland, and woodlands, but avoids being in the open. [3, 7]
- Diet: Carnivores, hunting rodents, reptiles, and birds, often taking prey larger than themselves. [4, 8]
- Behavior: Active day and night, fast, agile, and solitary, living alone and being territorial. [5, 7, 9]
Interesting Facts:
- Ermine: The name "ermine" specifically refers to the stoat in its white winter fur, historically used for ceremonial robes. [2]
- Winter Olympic Mascot: Two stoats, Milo and Tina, are the mascots for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. [10, 11]
- Adaptable Hunters: Their lean bodies allow them to pursue prey into burrows, a key hunting strategy. [4, 6]
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