*Graphic* What is this?

[cmom]

Short-tailed weasel/ermine. I'm glad we don't have them here. There are some other threads with pictures posted. Nasty chicken killers. Super cat saved the day. Probably after some chicken but kitty spoiled the day for it. Very good kitty...

 

[cmom]

Weasels are carnivorous and hunt mammals of the size of rabbits and smaller. Their thin bodies allow them to pursue many rodents into their burrows or tunnels underground or under snow. They can also climb trees. Weasels have high metabolisms and require a lot of food each day. They will cache extra food to supply their needs. Therefore weasels will instinctively kill what food is available and store what they can't eat right away. This gives them their reputation as particularly ferocious hunters and is the behavior that leads to the notorious killing sprees sometimes in a chicken coop. Weasels will also eat eggs, frogs, fish and insects when they cannot find a meal of meat.

 

[itsasmallfarm]

also am surprised its still brown i caught a weasel (long tail) about a week ago know and it was snow white.

 

[sean_wonder]

Looks like a stoat to me!

 

[NHMountainMan]

That small world be an ermine. This is an ermine we caught last winter.

 

[NHMountainMan]

Yes good kitty indeed!! She likes to show off her trophies...this is the first of these I've seen her bring home.

Really hated to touch the nasty thing but in the name of science and BYC...here ya go

View attachment 1975918
I was a bit off on my guesstimate!

I'd still say ermine.

 

[AltonaAcres]

It's a mink. We have them in our pond all the time

 

[NHMountainMan]

It's a mink. We have them in our pond all the time

Mink are darker and larger. But they do all look very similar.

 

[aart]

Really hated to touch the nasty thing but in the name of science and BYC...here ya go

Kudos!!!

Oh wow...so I'm assuming not necessarily a threat to the adult birds, but definitely any chicks.

Umm...wouldn't count on it...if they can get at their necks or under wings at night.

 

[cmom]

There are some threads about weasels getting in chicken coops and killing birds. I don't remember if they were large fowl or bantams.