​The scientific name of the ermine is "Mustela erminea,"the "erminea" originating from latin. The Chinese of ermine is 白鼬. Ermine is a small carnivore that belongs to the weasel family. Ermine mate in late spring to early summer. Females are polyestrous, which means that the animal should having more than one period of estrus per year, but ermines only produce 1 litter per year. Eemine usually feeds on small mammals.It has a high position in the food chain, but not highest.