Ernie is an opportunist carnivore - He’ll eat pretty much anything that comes his way as far as meat is concerned.
This for me puts him off the dinner plate as I was always trained not to eat carnivores if at all possible (at least mammal carnivores).
He doesn’t see as well as a human - especially in colour so dressing up in bright clothing should help protect you from him. His night vision is better than ours though so go to bed before it gets dark.
They mostly come out at night. Mostly.
[edit] Oh and as Ernie is living there don’t worry about his friends joining him. He’s VERY territorial unless he’s frisky and even then he’ll kick her out of the house after he’s done the business.
I suspect you’d have to kill 4 or 5 of those critters at least to get enough meat for a descent stew. I’d trap him and drive him far away. As soon as you know he’s caught, cover the trap with a large towel or a heavy blanket, or he’ll half kill himself trying to batter his way out of the trap.
[quote]Uncle Gabby wrote:
I suspect you’d have to kill 4 or 5 of those critters at least to get enough meat for a descent stew. I’d trap him and drive him far away. As soon as you know he’s caught, cover the trap with a large towel or a heavy blanket, or he’ll half kill himself trying to batter his way out of the trap.[/quote]
And don’t be tempted to put your fingers in there to give him a fuss, no matter how cute he looks.
Ernie is an opportunist carnivore - He’ll eat pretty much anything that comes his way as far as meat is concerned.
This for me puts him off the dinner plate as I was always trained not to eat carnivores if at all possible (at least mammal carnivores).
He doesn’t see as well as a human - especially in colour so dressing up in bright clothing should help protect you from him. His night vision is better than ours though so go to bed before it gets dark.
They mostly come out at night. Mostly.
[edit] Oh and as Ernie is living there don’t worry about his friends joining him. He’s VERY territorial unless he’s frisky and even then he’ll kick her out of the house after he’s done the business.[/quote]
That’s the funniest thing I’ve read in a long time. lol
Thanks for looking all of that up for me. I have been able to find out a fair bit but I didn’t know about the eyesight. I think it’s time to dig up my old fluorescent tie-die stuff from the 80’s to throw on this evening.
And yes…they are very cute but I doubt I’ll be making stew anytime soon. Some gloves would be nice though:)
I think maybe tomorrow morning, I’ll head outside and take some pics of the outside of the house and you guys/gals could maybe let me know if you see anything I should be covering or blocking off.
I should try to snap a pic of the little guy in the house if I can manage it too.
[quote]MsM wrote:
No, no MrM. Not likely to be in the near future either. I think the median age here is about 112.
And thank you for the compliment, Renton. I can see where you’re going. lol
[/quote]
No Mr Mrm? So, MsM, how you doin’?
lol
You just know I’m gonna get my ass kicked by B-3 any second now don’t you? Hey babe - You back from the shops yet? What did you buy? Was just chatting casually to MsM here - no motive or anything… Just friends, you know? babe … babe?
So anyhow, how long does it take to arrange a funeral?
First of all, what the hell is an ermine?? (Scratch that – I saw the picture you posted, of course, but who’s ever even heard of an ermine)??!
Secondly, he looks harmless enough, I must say. Why not put out a dish of food for him and – well – keep him? Train him, pet him, make friends with him . . . maybe name him Ernie . . .
He looks cool!
But I must say, if I came home and saw one hanging out on my stairs I’d be like, “What the flying FUCK is going on??!”
If you do manage to snap some pics of Ernie, however . . . (AHEM)!!! (Clearing throat very, very loudly)!
MsM, there’s gotta be a pest control company over the bridge willing to come get the little guy. It’s too cute, I’d keep it. Seriously, the meat in a cage sounds like your best bet.
Sounds like your first winter in the house has been fun so far!
db
First of all, what the hell is an ermine?? (Scratch that – I saw the picture you posted, of course, but who’s ever even hear of an ermine)??!
Secondly, he looks harmless enough, I must say. Why not put out a dish of food for him and – well – keep him? Train him, pet him, make friends with him . . . maybe name him Ernie . . .
He looks cool!
But I must say, if I came home and saw one hanging out on my stairs I’d be like, “What the flying FUCK is going on??!”
If you do manage to snap some pics of Ernie, however . . . (AHEM)!!! (Clearing throat very, very loudly![/quote]
Heh Damici the city guy! My friend, these beasties are in the same group as Weasels, Ferrets, Badgers, Pole Cats etc. etc.
Not to worry MsM here as they do avoid humans whenever possible but when cornered they are mean little bastards with sharp fucking teath and they do not stop until they have bitten your todger off and swallowed it.
Please don’t be fooled by Ernies cute looks. He is to be treated with respect and very much not fucked with (unless you have tape).
