The long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata) is commonly mistaken for its short-tailed cousin, the ermine. The two are similar in appearance and rarely stand still long enough for a careful look. The long-tailed is generally larger (though female long-tailed and male ermine overlap in size). The long-tailed is buff or orange underneath rather than white and the tail is about as long as its body. Both species turn white in winter. The long-tailed is typically found in open country while the ermine tends to prefer forest.
The front and hind feet both show 5 toes. The toes are aligned asymmetrically.
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