Edge of the Ice - Ermine

Soft, white, with delicate pink ears and nose and alert eyes, the ermine is no cuddly toy. He is a little killer with muscles of spring steel.

While doing research on a rare species of mouse, I was running a live-trap line. I caught a short-tailed weasel which turns from summer brown and cream to ermine white in winter. Although he was the one in the trap, I was the one that was nervous. He gave me a little shot of his aromatic muscle to remind me of his skunk family ties. I kept him for a while to observe him before releasing him. He was as flexible as a snake, as curious as a cat and totally fearless. I valued my fingers too much to ever attempt to touch his soft, mink-like fur which in its winter white is used as trim for royal robes and crowns.