The Haida ermine hails from several islands off the Pacific Northwest of North America, primarily Haida Gwaii in Canada and the southern Alexander Archipelago in the U.S. state of Alaska. Introduced deer have caused overbrowsing on the islands, stripping away understory plants and ground-level vegetative cover. This understory destruction removes critical structural cover, making these small ermines highly visible and vulnerable to predators such as raptors and/or feral cats. Introduced squirrels, rats, and raccoons feast on the same small prey that these ermines depend on, creating severe dietary competition. Extensive old-growth logging, like operations within parts of the Tongass National Forest and across Haida Gwaii, alters the landscapes they rely on. While these critters can utilize secondary-growth forests, extensive logging degrades the complex forest-floor structures they need for denning and foraging. Large-scale mining projects physically destroy localized island habitats, and this creates a permanent loss of territory. While there may not be official commercial seasons specifically targeting these rare mammals, mustelids are highly curious and vulnerable to traps. They are often killed as accidental bycatch in traps intended for other furbearers like martens. Increasing human tourism events and growing permanent populations introduce domestic pets to the islands. This drastically increases the risk of deadly domestic pet pathogens—like canine distemper virus and parvoviruses—overflowing into the wild ermine population, which lacks natural immunity. Even though they face all these threats, these critters are abundant enough to be listed as Not Evaluated by the IUCN. Their population trend is listed as declining though.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Mustela haidarum
Weight: Up to 3.7 ounces
Length: Up to 9 inches, plust up to a 3.5. inch tail
Lifespan: Up to 2 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) In the Haida language, these ermines are known as daayáats’ with their brown summer coat and tlag with their winter coat.
2.) A 2021 study found them to comprise a distinct species. M. haidarum is thought have originated about 375,000 years ago (during the Pleistocene epoch), and are thought to be the result of ancient hybrid speciation between the Beringian ermine and the American ermine.
3.) Considered a habitat generalist, meaning they can utilize a diverse mix of ecosystems, they do show a distinct preference for low-elevation temperate rainforest landscapes located within 328 feet of water bodies.
4.) They hunt for 10 – 15 minutes at a time throughout the evening.
5.) These furry critters are nocturnal (active at night) and crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).
But wait, there’s more on the Haida ermine!
6.) Haida ermines prey on mice, rats, voles, shrews, nesting birds, bird eggs, marine invertebrates, and even eat carrion (dead animals).
7.) Great horned owls, hawks, and Pacific martens all prey on these ermines.
Did you know…?
These ermines are known to lick the blood created by them off their prey first.
8.) Because females rely on delayed implantation, the gestation period can last up to 300 days.
9.) Females produce up to 8 kits each season.
10.) Leftovers from kills are cached in their nests for later.
Now a Short Haida Ermine Video!
This video talks about ermines in general.
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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
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