American Ermine

The American ermine or American stoat (Mustela richardsonii) is a member of the family Mustelidae and of the genus mustelid. Previously thought of as conspecific with the stoat (M. erminea), they have a body plan typical of weasels and are native to most of North America. There are currently 13 recognized subspecies. American ermines are small carnivorous mammals that live in a variety of terrestrial habitats, such as forests and wetlands.