Stoat vs Ferret: What Are The Differences?

By md.admin Last updated Jul 3, 2022

Comparing Stoat vs Ferret

	Stoat	Ferret
Genus	Mustelidae	Mustelidae
Appearance	Short tail, often highlighted with a black tip, especially during the winter. Coat changes to an all white shade, but is frequently found in black and brown during the rest of the year	Many different coat colors, including cream and tan; the coat stays the same throughout the year. Large eyes and more defined snout; long haired breeds are also available
Preferred Time of Day	Active in the evening and during the day	Primarily nocturnal (active at night)
Size	7 to 13 inches long; 1-2 pounds	8 to 20 inches long; 2-4 pounds
Diet	Mice, rabbits, voles, amphibians, and birds	Mice, rats, rabbits, birds, prairie dogs

Key Differences Between Stoat vs Ferret

There are many key differences between a stoat vs ferret. The average ferret is larger than a stoat, both in size and weight. Stoats are typically active in the evenings and during the day, while ferrets prefer to be active at night or during twilight or dawn hours. Ferrets are also domesticated animals, while stoats are wild animals only.

Let’s talk about these differences in more detail now.

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Stoat vs Ferret: Size

A key difference between stoats and ferrets lies in their sizes. The average stoat is 7 to 13 inches long and weighs 1-2 pounds, which is smaller than the average ferret. Ferrets tend to measure 8 to 20 inches long and weigh 2-4 pounds. While you likely won’t realize these size differences unless these two rodents are side by side, ferrets are usually always larger compared to stoats.

Stoat vs Ferret: Domesticated Status

Another difference between stoats and ferrets is their domesticated status. Stoats remain wild animals, while ferrets have been domesticated for close to two thousand years! There are very few wild ferrets in the world, while stoats are not recommended for pets. This is because stoats and other weasels are primarily carnivorous and aggressive individuals.

In contrast, ferrets make ideal pets for a wide variety of people. They are small, curious, and capable of learning tricks like cats or dogs. Given that the majority of ferrets are domesticated, it is unlikely that a domesticated ferret will survive very long in the wild, while stoats are notorious for being adaptable wild animals.

Stoat vs Ferret: Appearance and Coat Colors

The appearance and coat colors of a stoat differ from that of a ferret. For example, stoats are often found in black or brown shades, while ferrets are found in a wide variety of colors, including cream and reddish tones. Stoats also have a short tail compared to ferrets, and they are called short-tailed weasels because of this.

Ferrets have larger eyes and a more defined snout compared to stoats. Additionally, given a ferret’s domesticated status, there are many different color combinations and variations for pet owners, rather than a stoat’s wild fur colors. You can even get ferrets that have been bred with long fur, while stoats maintain a short and thick coat ideal for cold weather.

Speaking of cold weather, stoats shed their coats twice a year and adopt an all-white coat for the winter time. Ferrets differ from stoats in this act, maintaining the same coat year round. Stoats are also easily identifiable in the winter time, as they have all white fur except for a black tip on their tails.

Stoat vs Ferret: Diet and Hunting Style

Another difference between a stoat vs ferret is their diet and hunting style. While ferrets are primarily domesticated, there are still wild ferrets that eat a slightly similar diet to stoats. However, their hunting styles differ despite them both being carnivores.

For example, stoats eat mice, rabbits, voles, amphibians, and birds, while ferrets eat mice, rats, rabbits, birds, and prairie dogs. Ferrets enjoy taking down animals that are larger than they are, while stoats are a bit more modest in their preferred prey. Both of these rodents are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat meat and animal protein in order to survive.

Ferrets are also incredibly sneaky in their behavior, while stoats are more cautious. Wild ferrets get creative in their eating habits, often taking eggs from nests or burrows. Stoats are capable hunters, but they prefer to use their speed when hunting other animals.

Stoat vs Ferret: Preferred Time of Day

A final difference between stoats and ferrets is their preferred time of day. Stoats are active throughout the day and night, while ferrets prefer being active at night. In fact, ferrets are largely considered crepuscular, which means they thrive during dawn and dusk hours. Domesticated ferrets may differ in their behavior from wild ferrets, but for the most part they follow this schedule as well.

Comparing Stoat vs Ferret

	Stoat	Ferret
Genus	Mustelidae	Mustelidae
Appearance	Short tail, often highlighted with a black tip, especially during the winter. Coat changes to an all white shade, but is frequently found in black and brown during the rest of the year	Many different coat colors, including cream and tan; the coat stays the same throughout the year. Large eyes and more defined snout; long haired breeds are also available
Preferred Time of Day	Active in the evening and during the day	Primarily nocturnal (active at night)
Size	7 to 13 inches long; 1-2 pounds	8 to 20 inches long; 2-4 pounds
Diet	Mice, rabbits, voles, amphibians, and birds	Mice, rats, rabbits, birds, prairie dogs

Key Differences Between Stoat vs Ferret

Let’s talk about these differences in more detail now.

Stoat vs Ferret: What Are The Differences?

Comparing Stoat vs Ferret