Ermine

Ermine (ER mehn) are members of the weasel family. They are tiny animals, weighing less than a pound. Ermine have huge dark eyes and long whiskers. They have smooth, silky fur. During the spring and summer, their fur is brown. When autumn approaches, ermine grow a new coat of thick, snow-white fur. This white fur helps ermine blend in with their snowy environment.

Ermine live in northern regions of North America along riverbanks and at the edges of forests. They are good hunters and feed on small animals, such as rabbits and rats. In April, ermine have litters of 3 to 13 fuzzy white babies. By late summer, these babies are fully grown.