Twirling Ermine

Eager for a free lunch, an ermine hangs doggedly onto a suspended chunk of venison in this video (click here) by Pam Wells. Venison is not normally a part of an ermine’s diet, but they do take on hare and some prey larger than themselves, clinging with both front and hind legs. Ermine can jump 6 feet, and have 34 razor sharp teeth. They can climb, swim and they can travel at a rate of eight miles an hour. Shorter front legs and a sleek, flexible form allow them easy access into burrows. In winter months, they tunnel through the world under the snow inhabited by small rodents. Ever in pursuit of a meal, ermine have to consume two-thirds of their body weight on a daily basis to meet their metabolic needs. Extra food is often cached to ensure a steady supply. The free meal shown in this video must have looked just too good to pass up.