Mustela erminea

Stoats, called ermines during their winter phase, are native to Eurasia and a few places in North America. It might also be the species of ermine that's been introduced to New Zealand, however it is currently unclear to this author if that is the right species. In 2021 a genetic study separated North American ermines (short-tailed weasels) from Eurasian Mustela erminea, thus making it unclear. The North American stoats are now Mustela richardsonii and Mustela haidarum.

## Subspecies & Variations

Due to the cut of the American subspecies, this has been revised. The previous versions can be seen in the history of this article. This list is the one given one Wikipedia:

* *aestiva*
* *arctica*
* *augustidens*
* *erminea*
* *ferghanae*
* *hibernica*
* *kadiacensis*
* *kaneii*
* *karaginensis*
* *lymani*
* *martinoi*
* *minima*
* *mongolica*
* *muricus*
* *nippon*
* *ognevi*
* *polaris*
* *ricinae*
* *salva*
* *stabilis*
* *teberdina*
* *tobolica*

The subspecies *alascensis*,*anguinae*,*bangsi*,*cigognanii*,*fallenda*,*gulosa*,*initis*,*invicta*,*richardsonii*,*seclusa*, and *semplei* are now considered to be subspecies of the American stoat. *Muricus* and *stratori* were accidentally missed in my previous versions of this page, but they also belong to the American stoat. *Celenda*,*haidarum*, and *olympica* now belong to the Haida stoat.

Additionally, some of these subspecies cannot be found through a quick attempt at online research. The genetic study itself excluded two subspecies, *augustidens* and *martinoi.* They likely included them into the different subspecies around them (as these studies tend to do). Wikipedia doesn't list where these are from, and the study doesn't, and every source I can find that mentions their names doesn't give a range. Therefore, as far as I'm concerned, these weasels don't exist as a subspecies and exist in name only. Their initial populations must be now dubbed as a different subspecies, and no one's the wiser.

## Impact on societies

It is important to keep in mind that post-American colonization sources will sometimes contain influence from the two species mentioned above.

**Eurasia:** The winter phase coat was extremely popular amongst royalty from the British Isles to Russia. The ermine was said to prefer death over soilment, and thus was considered sacred. It's white fur was a symbol of purity. *erminea, hibernica, minima, ricinae, stabilis, and other subspecies from Eurasia. Also later, possibly American subspecies.*

**Brittany:** The ermine is the emblem of Brittany, a duchy or state which has officially existed since 942 and is usually owned by France. It's fur is represented in the coat of arms for the Duke of Brittany and in its flags. It is unclear why the ermine was used as its symbol. Perhaps they had an important fur trade of it, or perhaps it is the result of a forgotten story. *Subspecies not listed in sources.*

**New Zealand:** Stoats were introduced to control the feral populations of rabbits and hares, but like most of these reintroduction efforts, have failed to make that population extinct. They are now considered a great threat to the conservation of the islands' birds.

**Modern Anglosphere:** The stoat is now commonly called the short-tailed weasel, and therefore portrayals of Weasels may have stoat attributes. It's history with the royal fashion may have influenced the modern subconscious to like black and white animals. For example, dalmations' spots may resemble ermine capes. In the His Dark Materials book series by Philip Pullman and the TV adaptation one of the main characters is the soul of the protagonist in animal form. His main form is that of an ermine. He is intelligent and a worrywort. *Likely stabilis.* In the TV series The Animaniacs, one character is an anthropomorphic mink named Minerva. She is characterized as extremely gorgeous and wanted for her looks as well as uninterested and wily. While she is a mink, minks don't turn white.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.genuinemustelids.org/family/weasels/old-world-weasels/
2. ↑ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ddi.13234
3. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stoat&oldid=982906311
4. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stoat&oldid=1080095242
5. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American\_ermine&oldid=1085691386
6. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haida\_ermine&oldid=1082622482
7. ↑ https://www.furinsider.com/the-royal-touch-ermine/
8. ↑ https://etec.org.nz/stoats/#:~:text=The%20stoat%20is%20a%20member%20of%20the%20mustelid,%E2%80%9Cpublic%20enemy%20number%20one%E2%80%9D%20for%20New%20Zealand%20birds.
9. ↑ https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/animal-pests/stoats/