We recently released, A Stoat Called Longfellow by Trevor Smith – an adorable story about a sweet stoat. Stoats are cute little creatures; we’re going to take a closer look at them today!
When Longfellow the Stoat wakes up on a snowy day and wants an egg for breakfast, he has to cross the farmyard and brave the wrath of Pint, the farmer's Jack Russell dog.
All seems well until the horse, Cobweb, unwittingly sounds the alarm and Pint wakes up and gives chase. Longfellow finds a safe refuge, but soon something worse comes calling. Longfellow runs away - but then something even worse arrives!
Can little Longfellow get safely to his home in the dry-stone wall?
A charming, beautifully illustrated tale to help young readers understand the countryside.
- Their coats are usually brown, black and tan with a white underbelly. It is common that when stoat’s moult in the fall, their fur will return lighter, so they can blend in their surroundings. It can even be completely white, depending on where around the world they live.
- Stoats, weasels and ferrets are usually confused. They are even known as short-tailed weasels.
- Stoats are carnivores, usually eating mice, rats, birds and even insects when times are hard. Eggs can also be on the menu occasionally.
- In New Zealand at the end of the 18th century, Stoats were introduced to help reduce the number of rabbits. However, they didn’t stop there. Many native birds are now threatened thanks to these cuties.
- Stoats range from 17 to 35 centimetres (6.7 to 13.8 inches) in length and generally weigh between 180 to 258 grams (6.3 to 9.1 ounces).
- Their sizes range from 6.7 inches to just under 14 inches, weighing 180 to 258 grams. Stoats are larger than a weasel and have a black-tipped tail. There are 37 subspecies of Stoat recognized.
