Mink biography

The subspecies of the American mink is a sea mink, also considered as an independent type of Neovison Macrodon, extinct in historical times. The animals have a characteristic “hole” appearance: the body is very elongated, the legs are short, the ears and eyes are relatively small. The American mink has the length of the body of males up to 45 cm, the length of the fluffy tail is up to 24 cm, mass to g; The European mink is smaller.

Both types of males are larger than females. The coloring is dark brown, one-color. The European mink has a white spot on the upper and lower lip, the American mink has no stain on the upper lip, but the spots of different sizes on the throat and belly are not uncommon. The fur is thick and soft, appreciated highly. American mink Neogale Vison. Perm Territory. Under the tail are the ducts of specific anal glands that distinguish a secret with a sharp unpleasant odor.

European mink is common in Europe except for the south and north-west, in the Caucasus and Western Siberia. The natural range of American mink is North America. Now the American mink is distributed throughout the northern part of Eurasia and replaces the native look, which has become rare. Minks adhere to small flowing fresh reservoirs, lead a mainly single lifestyle.

They move using a system of constant paths and odorous marks. An important role is played by odor communication.

They feed on near -water animals, more often frogs, crayfish, small fish, flights and insects, eat eggs of birds nesting on the ground. The rut of the European mink takes place in April - May, the American - in February - March. For mink in the development of the embryo, a latent period is characteristic. The maximum pregnancy duration of American mink is up to 92 days.

The cubs in the litter 1-6 in European and 1-9 in the American mink. Puppies are born blind, toothless, with closed auditory passages. Eyes and auditory passages open a month later. Puberty is achieved by 10 months. The European mink forms a hybrid with a black ferret - a cuff, but does not cross with an American mink. Both species are valuable objects of fur fishing.

The American mink is bred in captivity. Lines of various coloring are bred. The number of American mink does not cause fears, the state of the European mink in the Red Book of MSOP is estimated as threatened. Shchipanov Nikolay Alexandrovich. The first publication: a large Russian encyclopedia published on March 6, the latest update on March 6, contact the editors.