black tip of ermine's tail

[musher]

I've read that there's an evolutionary theory that the black tip of an ermine's tail is there for a reason. The theory is that a bird of prey grabs at the black tip enabling the weasel to escape. Those without the black get grabbed elsewhere and they don't live to breed.

Today I caught a weasel with half a tail. It's the first time I've ever seen that and I have a few weasels to my credit ( ) .

Any opinions as to whether the black tip is gone due to a "close call?"

[blakcoyote]

I heard the same thing.But then I wondered why snowshoe hares around here have black tips on there ears.

[musher]

Good point. An ermine is "whiter" than a hare, though. If that changes anything.