Conservation Status: Common and possibly declining.
Hertfordshire: Patchy distribution. Parts of the county under recorded.
Protection: No legal protection. (Protected in ireland).
General Information: Found in a variety of habitats including woodland, farmland, marshes and along linear features ( avoiding open spaces). Stoats are larger than weasels and have longer tails with a distinctive black tip. They are usually seen briefly - bounding with an arched-back across a road. They are curious animals and can be enticed out into the open by making squeaking noises or imitating a rabbit squeal. Stoats are carnivorous feeding on rabbits, small rodents, rats, water voles and birds on the ground.
Threats: It is not known why they are declining. Shortage of food is probably the primary cause of mortality and stoats may also suffer from secondary poisoning in arable areas by consuming rodents contaminated with insecticides or molluscicides. Road casualties take their toll and stoats are regularly killed by gamekeepers although recolonisation is usually rapid.
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