Mustela nivalis; the Weasel (Spear-mouse of the Snow)
That's quite a dramatic title and should be explained; Mustela means spear mouse in Latin, derived from mus (mouse) and telum (spear) whilst nivalis means 'of the snow'. The weasel is not only the smallest of the Mustelidae in the UK but also the smallest species of the Carnivora order in the world and it is perfectly suited to pursuing small rodents like the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) through its burrows. Both stoats (Mustela erminea) & weasels have been observed 'dancing' in front of larger prey like rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculis); one theory is that this mesmerises the rabbit but it is not yet explained; other suggestions are that there is a parasite on the brain causing it to lose control. Finally, this entry will conclude by saying something useful. Stoats & weasels are very similar in appearance and overlap in both size & weight, but there are some key differences. The stoat has a black tip to its longer tail (used, it seems, to distract raptors that are closing in) whilst the weasel has a short tail without the black tip; and finally the border between the whitish underside & chestnut brown fur above is divided cleanly in the stoat but the demarcation is jagged in the weasel.