The American Mink is known for being the cutest member of the weasel family. Small in size, they create burrows in the banks of a river, lake, or stream and are very active in nature. Because of range expansion, IUCN categorized American mink as the least concern species.
Minks are fiercely territorial. They are still farmed for fur in European countries. Here we bring some more information about mammal.
American Mink
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Genus: Neovison
Species: N. vision
Physical Description of American Mink
Native to North America, American minks are also found throughout the United States and Canada.
Distribution of American Mink
They are also seen in more arid areas of California, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, and West Texas. They are vastly present in Iceland since the 1930s and their population has grown widely.
Take a glance at some of their interesting behavioral traits;
They may nest in burrows dug by badgers, skunks, and muskrats. American mink are not choosy about their choice of the den.
During aggressive interaction with predators, they affirm their authority by arching its back, lashing its tail, snarl and growl.
Minks are associated with water. These non-invasive species were brought to fur farms from North America. Usually found in wet areas like swamps and marshlands or along the banks of rivers and streams, these mammals are nocturnal.
Habitat of American Mink
They prefer habitats with dense vegetation for camouflage. They take over the discarded burrows of muskrats and beavers.
Their diet depends largely on the season as well as on the location. They are usually carnivores or flesh eaters. These mammals are found eating fish, amphibians, insects, snakes, and worms.
Diet of American Mink
American minks are even fond of hunting rabbits, bats, snails, and squirrels and they finally kill their prey by biting them on their throats.
Mating of these species occurs during spring, sometime between February and April. Birth of these mammals takes place in April, May, and June. The female mink shows delayed female implantation and thus, the actual development of embryo takes 30 to 32 days. The gestation period lasts for 39 to 78 days.
Reproduction of American Mink
Each year, the female mink gives birth to a single litter of two to ten young each year. The kits are born blind and weigh no more than six grams.
The maximum life span of this cute little mammal is somewhere around 10 years.
Predators of American Mink include owls, foxes, lynx, otters, and coyotes. These cute little mammals are often seen preying on European mink, wherever their ranges overlap.
Wild minks can be controlled if caught at a young age. Earlier, American minks were often reared for ratting. But they are not good at learning tricks taught to them by their owners.
Here are some interesting facts about the mink for your knowledge;
Reproduction of American Mink
Diet of American Mink
Habitat of American Mink
Physical Description of American Mink
American Mink
Reference
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