Stoats, also known as ermines or short-tailed weasels, are undeniably captivating creatures. While the word “weasel” might conjure images of slyness, the stoat’s energetic and playful nature has captured the hearts of many animal enthusiasts. Smaller than ferrets, these petite carnivores seem like they could be ideal pets, prompting the question: Is it possible to own a pet stoat, and if so, Where To Buy A Stoat As A Pet? This article delves into the realities of stoat ownership, covering their care needs and the challenges of finding one for sale.
Understanding Stoats: More Than Just Cute
The stoat, scientifically known as Mustela erminea, shares kinship with ferrets, badgers, otters, and minks, all belonging to the Mustelidae family. Like their relatives, stoats are opportunistic carnivores, known for their hunting prowess. They bear a close resemblance to the least weasel (Mustela nivalis) and, similar to minks, are adept climbers and swimmers.
Stoats are small animals, ranging from about 6.7 to 13 inches in length from head to tail. Males are significantly larger than females, sometimes twice the size. Their weight is equally diminutive, ranging from approximately 25 to 116 grams. Native to temperate regions of Eurasia and North America, stoats have also established a significant presence in New Zealand. Ironically, they were introduced to New Zealand in the late 19th century, along with least weasels and ferrets, to control rabbit populations. However, they are now considered invasive pests in New Zealand, actively culled to protect native bird species.
The Diet of a Stoat: A Carnivorous Appetite
Stoat diets are adaptable, influenced by location, gender, prey availability, and season. In populated areas, voles are a primary food source, while deer mice are common prey in boreal forests. Other typical prey items include shrews, squirrels, and chipmunks. Studies in Great Britain analyzing stoat and least weasel stomach contents revealed lagomorphs (rabbits and hares) constituted 65% of their diet, with the remainder consisting of small rodents, birds, and eggs. Notably, male stoats consumed more lagomorphs than females. Their diet also extends to lemmings, frogs, fish, and insects, showcasing their versatile carnivorous habits.
The Legal Landscape of Stoat Ownership: Can You Legally Keep a Stoat?
The legality of keeping stoats as pets varies by location. From a conservation standpoint, stoats are classified as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List, with stable populations reported as of 2021. This means they are not protected by endangered species laws.
However, legal pet ownership is more complex. In the United States, where stoats are native to many regions, keeping them as pets is likely illegal in most states. Laws generally prohibit owning native wildlife. Florida might be an exception, potentially allowing stoat ownership with a Class 3 license, but regulations should always be verified with local wildlife authorities. Before considering where to buy a stoat as a pet, confirming the legality in your specific area is crucial.
The Elusive Pet Stoat: Why They’re Hard to Find on the Market
Finding a stoat for sale as a pet is exceptionally difficult. In reality, where to buy a stoat as a pet is more often “you can’t buy a stoat as a pet”. There are two primary reasons for their scarcity in the pet trade: breeding challenges and limited commercial interest.
Stoats do not breed readily in captivity. Historically, if mustelids like stoats entered the pet trade, it was often linked to fur farming. Fur farms were the source for domesticated red foxes, martens, and minks. Stoats have been valued for their winter fur, which turns white (ermine fur). However, stoats present breeding challenges. They have specific dietary needs, often preferring live or freshly killed prey, and they are prone to stress in captivity, which negatively impacts their reproductive success. Despite being prolific breeders in the wild and reaching sexual maturity very early, captive breeding has proven difficult.
Stoats possess a unique reproductive trait called embryonic diapause. After fertilization, the embryo develops into a blastocyst but then pauses its development for 8-9 months before resuming growth. While nearly all wild-caught stoats are pregnant with blastocysts, successful implantation and births are not guaranteed in captivity. Early attempts at stoat fur farming yielded low birth rates, often from wild-caught females already carrying delayed embryos.
In contrast, minks breed successfully in captivity. The rise of American mink farming, starting in 1925, likely eliminated any commercial incentive to farm stoats for fur. Today, there are likely no commercial fur farms raising stoats in North America.
Even zoos rarely exhibit stoats, possibly due to their tendency to hide and low breeding rates in zoological facilities. Successful stoat breeding is most likely with captive-born females. Therefore, the pet trade presence of stoats would rely on specialized breeders capable of propagating wild-caught animals, which is not currently a viable or established industry.
Another significant hurdle is their high energy levels and difficulty in taming. Wild stoats can travel up to 15 km in a single night. They alternate between bursts of intense activity and periods of rest. Stoats also cache food to meet their energy demands. This wild nature translates to demanding care requirements in captivity.
Stoat Care: Are You Ready for the Challenge?
Caring for stoats in captivity is significantly more demanding than caring for domesticated ferrets. Their high energy levels necessitate large and enriching enclosures. Examples of enclosure sizes used in research and zoo settings range from approximately 49-inch cubes to much larger multi-area setups. One study recommended a minimum enclosure size of about 59x39x24 inches for breeding and research purposes.
Stoats are escape artists, requiring enclosures with very small spacing, possibly aquarium-style tanks or finely meshed cages. Materials used for stoat enclosures include fine wire mesh, metallic pens, steel weld mesh, and cages with wooden sides.
Enrichment is crucial for stoat well-being. This includes water features for bathing, hollow logs and pipes for exploration, vegetation, and nest boxes. Stoats are solitary animals and can be aggressive towards each other, so they should be housed individually, except for breeding purposes.
Diet in captivity can include cat food, raw meat, and whole prey like rodents. The Minnesota Zoo achieved breeding success by feeding freshly killed mice, after previous diets of canned cat food proved unsuccessful for reproduction.
Stoats are not typical pets. They are more challenging to care for than many might assume. If captive breeding were to become more established, their potential as pets could increase. However, they would still be demanding pets, best suited for experienced keepers familiar with the husbandry needs of similar wild mustelids like mink, rather than owners accustomed to domesticated ferret behavior.
References
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- Hellstedt, Paavo, and Heikki Henttonen. “Home range, habitat choice and activity of stoats (Mustela erminea) in a subarctic area.” Journal of Zoology 269.2 (2006): 205-212.
- King, C. M., and J. E. Moody. “The biology of the stoat (Mustela erminea) in the National Parks of New Zealand I. General introduction.” New Zealand journal of zoology 9.1 (1982): 49-55.
- Loso, H. 1999. “Mustela erminea” (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed March 02, 2021 at https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mustela_erminea/
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- McDonald, Robbie A., and Serge Larivière. “Captive husbandry of stoats Mustela erminea.” New Zealand Journal of Zoology 29.3 (2002): 177-186.
- O’Connor, Cheryl, et al. Stoat reproductive biology. Science & Technical Publishing, Department of Conservation, 2006.
- Reid, F., Helgen, K. & Kranz, A. 2016. Mustela erminea. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T29674A45203335. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T29674A45203335.en. Downloaded on 08 March 2021.
