Mustelids (stoats, ferrets and weasels) are among the most destructive predators in Aotearoa New Zealand’s ecosystems. Introduced in the late 1800s to control rabbits, they quickly turned their attention to far more vulnerable prey: our native wildlife.
Mustelids are fast, intelligent and relentless hunters – earning their reputation as “public enemy number one” from DOC. Stoats, in particular, are infamous for their agility and ability to kill prey much larger than themselves.
They are known to climb trees to raid nests and can cover vast distances in search of food. Native birds like kākāriki, mohua, whio, and takahē can fall victim to them – often before they reach breeding age. If they get the chance, they’ll kill more than they need for food and hide the rest in their den to eat later.
Mustelids can thrive almost anywhere in New Zealand, traveling far and fast. Stoats have been known to cover 70km in two weeks and swim over a kilometre to reach islands. They also breed rapidly: a single litter can have up to 12 young, and female stoats can become pregnant as babies, carrying delayed pregnancies until adulthood.
Back to: Predators