Lisa Walker, age 14, of Twin Falls, Idaho, for her question:

WHERE DOES THE ERMINE LIVE?

An ermine is an aggressive weasel that you'll find living in cold~j northern climates. The animals with the best furs live in the wilds of Norway, Sweden, Russia and northern Canada.

The animal's short, smooth fur changes from brown to white in winter. He is called an ermine only when his fur is white. When his coat is brown, he is called a stoat or weasel.

Several kinds of weasels are often called ermine when their coats are white, but the short tailed weasel is the true ermine.

Ermine fur is very valuable. It is used to make jackets, capes and muffs. Ermine fur is also used extensively to trim clothing.

A large ermine skin is only about 12 inches long and many are needed to make a garment. Because of its value, ermine fur has long served as a symbol of rank.