Captive biology of an asocial mustelid; <i>Mustela erminea</i>

AbstractSuccessful captive reproduction, management, and exhibition of ermine (Mustela erminea) are unreported. Wild ermine are solitary and asocial specialist predators of small vertebrates. In captivity they alternate brief periods of frenetic activity with long periods of inactivity, are furtive, and because of interindividual aggressiveness, are managed as solitary animals. These species‐specific traits have precluded ermine as an ideal animal for captive management and public exhibition. Here we present observations of gestation and litter size, neonatal reproduction, male reproductive variance, and a possible correlation between diet and female reproductive success. We also describe methods of husbandry and of exhibit animal rotation which enhances visitor viewing of the animal.