Stoats

By Elise and Trisha

AppearanceBrown fur on the backStoats and weasels are similar in appearanceStoats have larger tails than weaselsMales are larger than females

Interesting FactsA males weight is around 325 grams ,females are around about 205 gramsTo tell the difference between a male and a female, the females have ear tagsStoats first were introduced to south island in 1884 to control rabbits

ThreatsIf there was no food to eat they would eat our native birds They are known predators of many native birdsThey also eat heavily on reptiles and invertebrates

Where TheyLiveStoats are wide spread on the mainland but are absent from most offshore islandsStoats live in any habitat with plenty of cover and available preyThey can be found anywhere from beaches to remote high country in any kind of forest, native or exotic, in scrub ,dunes tussock grassland and farm pastures

How they came toNZStoats were introduced into NZ to control rabbits and haresStoats are now a major threat to native birdsThe natural range of the stoats is limited to parts of the northern hemisphere

How we can help eradicate themJoin a D.O.C volunteer project or a community conservation group working with D.O.CWe can help D.O.C have a fundraiser to buy new traps

How D.O.C can help eradicate themThey can get a lot of native birds and take care of them and raise money