American Mink - Mustela vison
Previously, this species was considered the closest relative of the European mink, but recent studies suggest that the European species is closer to the column, while the American one may be related to the marten genus.
The body of American minks is relatively flexible and long: males are about 45 cm, while females are slightly smaller. They can weigh up to 2 kg. Their legs are short. The tail can grow up to 25 cm. The ears are rounded and small. The eyes glow reddish at night. Their teeth are very sharp, one could say large. The snout is elongated, and the skull is flattened. The uniform fur has a dense undercoat and varies in color from white to nearly black shades.
In the wild, the common color range is from rich brown to darker shades. A key distinguishing feature from their European relatives is the presence of a white spot on the chin that reaches the lower lip, but this trait can vary. Occasionally, there are white spots on the chest, throat, and belly. Individuals encountered in the wild with unusual colors and patterns may indicate that they or their ancestors were residents of fur farms, having escaped or been released into the wild.
The American mink was acclimatized in Kyrgyzstan in the 1960s. It adapted well and populated the shores of forest water bodies with steep eroded banks overgrown with shrubs.
Minks are predators, feeding four to nine times a day, most actively in the morning and evening. They are not picky eaters: their diet includes their favorite crustaceans, as well as insects and marine invertebrates. Fish, mouse-like rodents, and birds make up the bulk of their diet. Additionally, they consume rabbits, various mollusks, earthworms, and even small waterfowl and squirrels.
They can eat carrion. They also raid bird nests. In one day, they can consume an amount of food weighing up to a quarter of their own body weight.
These resourceful animals store food for winter in their burrows. In case of a critical food shortage, they can raid domestic birds: a dozen chickens and ducks can fall prey in one such foray. However, usually by the end of autumn to the beginning of winter, minks accumulate a good layer of fat.
They are active at night but can sometimes be seen during the day. They swim and dive well.
They dig burrows in eroded banks and often use decayed stumps, hollows in fallen trees, and voids under roots.
Reproduction: polygamous animals: during the breeding season, a male can mate with several females. A female can also mate with several males.
For giving birth, a female American mink chooses a burrow up to 3 m deep. Usually, the den is located no further than 200 m from water.
Breeding season/period: February-March.
Sexual maturity: 10-12 months.
Gestation: lasts about 50 days.
Offspring: the female gives birth to 1-10 (on average 4) blind and almost hairless pups. The weight of newborns is about 6 grams. By 5-6 weeks, the pups grow a reddish-brown coat.
Their eyes open by the 37th day, and lactation lasts for 8-9 weeks. At this age, young minks weigh about 350 grams. By the end of summer, the young become fully independent and leave their mother.
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