"The stoat (Mustela erminea), also known as the ermine, short-tailed weasel or simply the weasel in Ireland where the least weasel does not live, is a mammal of the genus Mustela of the family Mustelidae native to Eurasia and North America, distinguished from the least weasel by its larger size and longer tail with a prominent black tip. Originally from Eurasia, it crossed into North America some 500,000 years ago, where it naturalized and joined the notably larger, closely related native long-tailed weasel.
The name ermine /ˈɜːrmɪn/ is used for any species in the genus Mustela, especially the stoat, in its pure white winter coat, or the fur thereof." - (en.wikipedia.org 09.03.2020)
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