This is the surviving stoat orphan I am handrearing. He has been with me now for one week and I'm estimating that he is approximately 17 days old. His eyes opened 2 days ago, if anyone can tell me at what age their eyes do open I'd appreciate it!!
He weighed 22g when I brought him home and tonight he's weighing in at 44g, so his weight gain is improving daily and he is weaning great. At the moment he is eating mouse and ox heart and still drinking loads of milk!
Many thanks to Cr8ivemind for pointing out the age eyes open and prompting me to do further research to work out his age.
Forget it - I've just found it! I had already looked at that site, but as the information is so long I did a search for eyes and nothing came up, but now I can see this site says that eyes open at 30-42 days and the mane develops at 3 weeks.
That's excellent - many thanks!
feorag 2 years ago
Wow! I'm surprised if that's right!
I'd appreciate some advice on where you sourced that. However, I have to say I'd be very surprised if they were that old before their eyes opened. The only domesticated mustelid is the ferret and their eyes open at 3 weeks.
feorag 2 years ago
According to some of my resources, their eyes actually open around 6 weeks of age.
cre8ivmind 2 years ago