Stoat, ferret, weasel (Mustelids)

Stoats, weasels, and ferrets are mustelids that prey on native birds, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates. They can also be vectors of bovine TB.

Description

• Stoats are medium-sized mustelids (200-350g) and are orange-brown with a white-cream underbelly and a black tip at the end of the tail.
• Ferrets are the largest of the mustelids (600-1300g) and are distinguished by a dark 'mask' across the eyes.
• Weasels are the smallest (60-120g) and are orange-brown with a white-cream underbelly and a uniformly brown tail.
• Habitats include forests, shrubland, grasslands, braided rivers, alpine areas, coastal areas, and pastures.

What you need to know

Preys on native birds, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates. Particularly threatens ground-nesting, cavity-nesting and forest birds. Can act as vectors of diseases such as canine distemper and bovine TB.

Management approach

Community Led

These organisms have not been legally declared as pests but may be of interest to the public as they occur regularly in the environment. They may be capable of causing adverse effects to the values of Waitaha/Canterbury.

Control

For information on controlling mustelids visit the Predator Free NZ Trust website or contact your local pest control contractor.