American Mink

8/13/2019 American Mink

1/17

American minkFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about animal. For the trademark of the same name, seeAmerican Legend Cooperative.

American mink

Temporal range: MiddlePleistoceneRecent

Conservation status

Least Concern(IUCN 3.1)[1]

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Mustelidae

Subfamily: Mustelinae
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Legend_Cooperativehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Legend_Cooperativehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Legend_Cooperativehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleistocenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleistocenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleistocenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation_statushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation_statushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Least_Concernhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Least_Concernhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IUCN_Red_Listhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IUCN_Red_Listhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-iucn-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-iucn-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-iucn-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_classificationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_classificationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chordatahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chordatahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnivorahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnivorahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustelidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustelidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustelinaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustelinaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MinkforWiki.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MinkforWiki.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustelinaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustelidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnivorahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chordatahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_classificationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-iucn-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IUCN_Red_Listhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Least_Concernhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation_statushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleistocenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Legend_Cooperative


2/17

Genus: Neovison

Species: N. vison

Binomial name

Neovison vison[2]

(Schreber,1777)

Subspecies

15, seetext

N. vison

N. aestuarina

N. aniakensis

N. energumenos

N. evagor

N. evergladensis

N. ingens

N. lacustris

N. letifera

N. lowii

N. lutensis

N. melampeplus

N. mink

N. nesolestes

N. vulgivaga
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neovisonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neovisonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binomial_nomenclaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binomial_nomenclaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-msw3-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-msw3-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-msw3-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Christian_Daniel_von_Schreberhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Christian_Daniel_von_Schreberhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Christian_Daniel_von_Schreberhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subspecieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subspecieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Subspecieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Subspecieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Subspecieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Subspecieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subspecieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Christian_Daniel_von_Schreberhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-msw3-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binomial_nomenclaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neovison


3/17


4/17

6 Range

o 6.1 Natural

o 6.2 Introduced

6.2.1 Mainland Europe and British Isles

6.2.2 Former USSR

6.2.3 Iceland

6.2.4 South America

7 Diseases and parasites

8 Decline of wild mink

9 Relationships with humans

o 9.1 Fur use

9.1.1 Trapping

9.1.2 Farming

9.1.2.1 Colour mutations

o 9.2 As pets

o 9.3 Literature

10 See also

11 References

o 11.1 Notes

o 11.2 Bibliography

12 External links

Indigenous names[edit]

This section contains information of unclear or

questionableimportanceorrelevanceto the article's subject matter. Please

helpimprove this articleby clarifying or removingsuperfluous information.(August 2013)

This article is in a list format that may be better presented usingprose.You can help

by converting this article to prose, ifappropriate.Editing helpis available. (August 2013)

Cree- sang-gwiss, shakzuashewor atjackasheiv[4]

Ojibwe- shang-gwes'-se[4]

Chipewyan- tel-chu'-say[4]

Ogallala Sioux- lo-chin'-cha[4]

Yankton Sioux- doke-sesch[4]

Evolution[edit]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Rangehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Rangehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Naturalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Naturalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Introducedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Introducedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Mainland_Europe_and_British_Isleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Mainland_Europe_and_British_Isleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Former_USSRhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Former_USSRhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Icelandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Icelandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#South_Americahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#South_Americahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Diseases_and_parasiteshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Diseases_and_parasiteshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Decline_of_wild_minkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Decline_of_wild_minkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Relationships_with_humanshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Relationships_with_humanshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Fur_usehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Fur_usehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Trappinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Trappinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Farminghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Farminghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Colour_mutationshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Colour_mutationshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#As_petshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#As_petshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Literaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Literaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#See_alsohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#See_alsohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Noteshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Noteshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Bibliographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Bibliographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#External_linkshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#External_linkshttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:What_Wikipedia_is_not#Wikipedia_is_not_an_indiscriminate_collection_of_informationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:What_Wikipedia_is_not#Wikipedia_is_not_an_indiscriminate_collection_of_informationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:What_Wikipedia_is_not#Wikipedia_is_not_an_indiscriminate_collection_of_informationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Guide_to_writing_better_articleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Guide_to_writing_better_articleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Guide_to_writing_better_articleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edithttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edithttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Out_of_scopehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Out_of_scopehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Out_of_scopehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Prosehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Prosehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Prosehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Embedded_listhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Embedded_listhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Embedded_listhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Editinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Editinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Editinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cree_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cree_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s872-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s872-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s872-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ojibwe_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ojibwe_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s872-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s872-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s872-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chipewyan_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chipewyan_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s872-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s872-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s872-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogallala_Siouxhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogallala_Siouxhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s872-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s872-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s872-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yankton_Siouxhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yankton_Siouxhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s872-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s872-4http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s872-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yankton_Siouxhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s872-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogallala_Siouxhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s872-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chipewyan_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s872-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ojibwe_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s872-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cree_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Editinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Embedded_listhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Prosehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Out_of_scopehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Guide_to_writing_better_articleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:What_Wikipedia_is_not#Wikipedia_is_not_an_indiscriminate_collection_of_informationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#External_linkshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Bibliographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Noteshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#See_alsohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Literaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#As_petshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Colour_mutationshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Farminghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Trappinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Fur_usehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Relationships_with_humanshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Decline_of_wild_minkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Diseases_and_parasiteshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#South_Americahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Icelandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Former_USSRhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Mainland_Europe_and_British_Isleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Introducedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Naturalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#Range


5/17

As a species, the American mink represents a more specialized form than the European mink in the direction

ofcarnivory,as indicated by the more developed structure of the skull.[5]

Fossil recordsof the American mink

go back as far as theIrvingtonian,though the species is uncommon amongPleistoceneanimals. Its fossil range

corresponds with the species' current natural range. The American minks of the Pleistocene did not differ much

in size or morphology from modern populations, though a slight trend toward increased size is apparent from

the Irvingtonian through to theIllinoianandWisconsinanperiods.[6]

Although superficially similar to the European mink, studies indicate the American mink's closest relative is

theSiberian weasel(kolonok) of Asia. The American mink has been recorded tohybridizewith European minks

andpolecatsin captivity, though the hybrid embryos of the American and European minks are usually

reabsorbed.[7]

Subspecies[edit]

As of 2005,[8]

15 subspecies are recognised.

[show]Subspecies Trinomial authority

Physical description[edit]

Build[edit]

Skeleton of an American mink from theMusum national d'histoire naturelle

Skull, as illustrated by N. N. Kondakov.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnivorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnivorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnivorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1397-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1397-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_recordhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_recordhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_recordhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irvingtonianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irvingtonianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irvingtonianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleistocenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleistocenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleistocenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinoianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinoianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinoianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsinanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsinanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsinanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-k151-6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-k151-6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-k151-6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_weaselhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_weaselhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_weaselhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_(biology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_(biology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_(biology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_polecathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_polecathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_polecathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h488-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h488-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h488-7http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=3http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=3http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_minkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_minkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_minkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=5http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=5http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mus%C3%A9um_national_d%27histoire_naturellehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mus%C3%A9um_national_d%27histoire_naturellehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MSU_V2P1b_-_Mustela_vison_skull.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MSU_V2P1b_-_Mustela_vison_skull.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Minkskeleton.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Minkskeleton.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MSU_V2P1b_-_Mustela_vison_skull.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MSU_V2P1b_-_Mustela_vison_skull.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Minkskeleton.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Minkskeleton.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MSU_V2P1b_-_Mustela_vison_skull.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MSU_V2P1b_-_Mustela_vison_skull.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Minkskeleton.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Minkskeleton.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MSU_V2P1b_-_Mustela_vison_skull.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MSU_V2P1b_-_Mustela_vison_skull.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Minkskeleton.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Minkskeleton.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mus%C3%A9um_national_d%27histoire_naturellehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=5http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_minkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-8http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h488-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_polecathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_(biology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_weaselhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-k151-6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsinanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinoianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleistocenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irvingtonianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_recordhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1397-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnivore


6/17

The American mink differs from members of the genusMustela(stoatsandweasels)by its larger size and

stouter form, which closely approach those ofmartens.It shares with martens a uniformly enlarged, bushy and

somewhat tapering tail, rather than a slenderly terete tail with an enlarged bushy tip, as is the case in

stoats.[10]

The American mink is similar in build to theEuropean mink,but the tail is longer (constituting 38-51%

of its body length).[11]

The American mink has a long body, which allows the species to enter the burrows of prey.

Itsstreamlinedshape helps it to reduce water resistance whilst swimming.[12]

The skull is similar to that of the

European mink, but is more massive, narrower, and less elongated, with more strongly developed projections

and a wider, shortercranium.The uppermolarsare larger and more massive than those of the European

mink.[13]

Thedental formulais:

Dentition

3.1.3.1

3.1.3.2

Domestic mink, which are bred in fur farms, have 19.6% smaller brains, 8.1% smaller hearts, and 28.2%

smaller spleens than wild mink.[14][15]

The feet are broad, with webbed digits.[10]

It generally has eightnipples,

with one pair of inguinal teats and three pairs of abdominal teats.[11]

The adult male'spenisis 2.2 in (5.6 cm)

long, and is covered by asheath.Thebaculumis well-developed, being triangular incross sectionand curved

at the tip.[12]

Males measure 1318 in (3445 cm) in body length, while females measure 1215 in (3137.5 cm). The tail

measures 610 inches (15.624.7 cm) in males and 68 in (14.821.5 cm) in females. Weights vary with sex

and season, with males being heavier than females. In winter, males weigh 13 lb (5001,580 g) and females

12 lb (400780 g) Maximum heaviness occurs in autumn.[5]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustelahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustelahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustelahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Least_weaselhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Least_weaselhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Least_weaselhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-c161-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-c161-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-c161-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_minkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_minkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_minkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1392-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1392-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1392-11http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/streamlinehttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/streamlinehttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/streamlinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurocraniumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurocraniumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurocraniumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molar_(tooth)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molar_(tooth)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molar_(tooth)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1394-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1394-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1394-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_formulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_formulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_formulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dentitionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dentitionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-c161-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-c161-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-c161-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nipplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nipplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nipplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1392-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1392-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1392-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penile_sheathhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penile_sheathhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penile_sheathhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baculumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baculumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baculumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_section_(geometry)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_section_(geometry)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_section_(geometry)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1397-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1397-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1397-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Minkpaws.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1397-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_section_(geometry)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baculumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penile_sheathhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1392-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nipplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-c161-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dentitionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_formulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1394-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molar_(tooth)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurocraniumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/streamlinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1392-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_minkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-c161-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Least_weaselhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustela


7/17


8/17

Behaviour[edit]

Social and territorial behaviours[edit]

A southern mink (N. v. vulgivagus) in a threatening posture

American mink emerges from a pond.

American mink territories are held by individual animals with minimal intrasex overlap, but with extensive

overlap between animals of the opposite sex. Most territories are located in undisturbed, rocky, coastal habitats

with broadlittoral zonesand dense cover. They may also occur on estuaries, rivers and canals near urban

areas. Home ranges are typically 16 kilometres (0.623.73 miles) long, with male territories being larger than

those of females.[17]

As long as it is close to water, the American mink is not fussy over its choice of den. Mink

dens typically consist of long burrows inriver banks,holes underlogs,tree stumps,orrootsand hollowtrees,

though dens located in rock crevices, drains, and nooks under stone piles and bridges are occasionally

selected. The burrows they dig themselves are typically about four inches in diameter and may continue along

for 1012 feet (300370 cm) at a depth of 23 feet (6191 cm). The American mink may nest in burrows dug

previously bymuskrats,badgersandskunks,and may also dig dens in oldant hills.The nesting chamber is

located at the end of a four-inch tunnel, and is about a foot in diameter. It is warm, dry and lined with straw and

feathers.[21]

The American mink's dens are characterized by a large number of entrances and twisting passages.

The number of exits vary from one to eight.[18]
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=9http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=9http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=9http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=10http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=10http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Littoral_zonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Littoral_zonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Littoral_zonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h489-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h489-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h489-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_bankhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_bankhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_bankhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wooden_loghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wooden_loghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wooden_loghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_stumphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_stumphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_stumphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muskrathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muskrathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badgerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badgerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badgerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skunkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skunkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skunkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant_hillhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant_hillhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant_hillhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s879-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s879-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s879-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1410-18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1410-18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1410-18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Slick_Mink.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Slick_Mink.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Angrylouisianamink.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Angrylouisianamink.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Slick_Mink.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Slick_Mink.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Angrylouisianamink.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Angrylouisianamink.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Slick_Mink.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Slick_Mink.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Angrylouisianamink.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Angrylouisianamink.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Slick_Mink.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Slick_Mink.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Angrylouisianamink.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Angrylouisianamink.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1410-18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s879-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant_hillhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skunkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badgerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muskrathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_stumphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wooden_loghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_bankhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h489-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Littoral_zonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=10http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=9


9/17

The American mink normally only vocalises during close encounters with other minks or predators. The sounds

they emit include piercing shrieks and hisses when threatened and muffled chuckling sounds when mating. Kits

squeak repeatedly when separated from their mothers.[19]

Ernest Thompson Setonreported hearing minks

growl and snarl when confronting a threat.[22]

During aggressive interactions, the this mink asserts its

dominance by arching its back, puffing up, and lashing its tail, stamping and scraping the ground with its feet,

and opening its mouth in a threat-gape. Should this be unsuccessful, fights may result, with injuries to the head

and neck.[19]

American mink in a burrow

Reproduction and development[edit]

American mink kits

The American mink is a promiscuous animal, which does not form pair bonds.[17]

Themating seasonbegins

from February in its southern range to April in the north.[12]

In its introduced range, the American mink breeds

one month earlier than the European mink.[23]Males commonly fight during the mating season, which may

result in the formation of loose, temporary dominance hierarchies governing access to receptive

females.[17]

The mating season lasts for three weeks, withovulationbeing induced by the presence of males.

The mating process is violent, with the male typically biting the female on the nape of the neck and pinning her

with his forefeet.Matinglasts from 10 minutes to four hours. Females are receptive for seven- to 10-day

intervals during the three-week breeding season, and can mate with multiple males. Along with thestriped
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h491-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h491-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Thompson_Setonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Thompson_Setonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Thompson_Setonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s877-22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s877-22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s877-22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h491-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h491-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h491-19http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=11http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=11http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h489-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h489-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h489-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mating_seasonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mating_seasonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mating_seasonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1413-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1413-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1413-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h489-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h489-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h489-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ovulationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ovulationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_skunkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_skunkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:American_Mink_-_Young.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:American_Mink_-_Young.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mink_headshot.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mink_headshot.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:American_Mink_-_Young.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:American_Mink_-_Young.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mink_headshot.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mink_headshot.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:American_Mink_-_Young.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:American_Mink_-_Young.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mink_headshot.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mink_headshot.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:American_Mink_-_Young.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:American_Mink_-_Young.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mink_headshot.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mink_headshot.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_skunkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ovulationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h489-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1413-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mating_seasonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h489-17http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h491-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s877-22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Thompson_Setonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h491-19


10/17

skunk,the American mink is among the only mammals to mate in spring whilst possessing a short delay before

the occurrence of implantation. Thisdelayed implantationallows pregnant minks to keep track of environmental

conditions and select an ideal time and place forparturition.[12]

Thegestation periodlasts from 4075 days, with actual embryonic development taking place after 3032 days,

thus indicating delayed implantation can last from eight to 45 days. The young are born either in April or June,

with litters consisting of four kits on average.[12]

Exceptionally large litters of 11 kits have been recorded in

Tartaria and 16 in the United States.[23]

The kits are blind at birth, weighing six grams and possessing a short

coat of fine, silver-white hairs.[12]

The kits are dependent on their mother's milk, which contains 3.8%lipids,

6.2%protein,4.6%lactoseand 10.66% mineral salts.[23]

Their eyes open after 25 days, withweaningoccurring

after five weeks. The kits begin hunting after eight weeks of age, but stay close to their mother until autumn,

when they become independent. Sexual maturity is attained during the kit's first spring, when they are about 10

months old.[12]

Diet[edit]

American mink with fish, inNorway

The American mink is a carnivorous animal, which feeds onrodents,fish,crustaceans,amphibians,andbirds.

It killsvertebrateprey by biting the back of the head or neck, leavingcaninepuncture marks 911 mm (0.35

0.43 in) apart.[24]

In its natural range, fish are their primary prey. Although inferior to theNorth American river

otterin hunting fish,AudubonandBachmanonce reported seeing a mink carrying a foot-longtrout.Mink

inhabiting theprairiesloughs primarily targetfrogs,tadpoles,andmice.[25]

It is a formidable predator

ofmuskrats,which are chased underwater and killed in their own burrows. Among the rodents killed by the

American mink in its native range are rats and mice of thegeneraHesperomys,Microtus,Sigmodon,

andNeotoma.Marsh rabbitsare frequently taken in marshy or swampy tracts.[26]

InTartaria,the American mink's most important food items arevoles,fish, crustaceans, frogs, and aquatic

insects. In winter, aquatic foods predominate, while land-based prey increases in importance during the spring.

Within theAltai Mountains,the American mink feeds predominantly on mammals such as rodents, shrews, and

moles, as well as birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Among the 11 different bird species preyed upon by

minks in Altai aredippersandpine grosbeaks.Among fish, small species predominate in the diet of minks in

Altai, and include;minnows,gudgeons,and wide-headedsculpins.In theSverdlovskandIrkutsk Oblasts,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_skunkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_skunkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_implantationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_implantationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_implantationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parturitionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parturitionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestation_periodhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestation_periodhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestation_periodhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1413-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1413-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1413-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proteinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proteinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proteinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactosehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactosehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactosehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1413-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1413-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1413-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weaninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weaninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weaninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=12http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=12http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crustaceanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crustaceanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crustaceanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphibianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphibianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphibianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebratehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebratehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebratehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canine_teethhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canine_teethhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canine_teethhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h487-24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h487-24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h487-24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_river_otterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_river_otterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_river_otterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_river_otterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_James_Audubonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_James_Audubonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_James_Audubonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bachmanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bachmanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bachmanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trouthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trouthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trouthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prairiehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prairiehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Froghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Froghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Froghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadpolehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadpolehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadpolehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s883-25http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s883-25http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s883-25http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muskrathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muskrathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muskrathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesperomyshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesperomyshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesperomyshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microtushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microtushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microtushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigmodonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigmodonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigmodonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neotomahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neotomahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neotomahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsh_rabbithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsh_rabbithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsh_rabbithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-c178-26http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-c178-26http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-c178-26http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatarstanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatarstanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatarstanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altai_Mountainshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altai_Mountainshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altai_Mountainshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dipperhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dipperhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dipperhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_grosbeakhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_grosbeakhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_grosbeakhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gudgeon_(fish)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gudgeon_(fish)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gudgeon_(fish)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sculpinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sculpinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sculpinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sverdlovsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sverdlovsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sverdlovsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irkutsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irkutsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irkutsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mink_with_catch.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mink_with_catch.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mink_with_catch.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mink_with_catch.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irkutsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sverdlovsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sculpinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gudgeon_(fish)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_grosbeakhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dipperhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altai_Mountainshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatarstanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-c178-26http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsh_rabbithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neotomahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigmodonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microtushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesperomyshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muskrathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s883-25http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadpolehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Froghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prairiehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trouthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bachmanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_James_Audubonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_river_otterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_river_otterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h487-24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canine_teethhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebratehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphibianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crustaceanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weaninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1413-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactosehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proteinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1413-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestation_periodhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-f663-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parturitionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_implantationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_skunk


11/17

mouse-like rodents are their most important foods, followed by birds, fish and insects. In theRussian Far East,

where crustaceans are scarce, the American mink feeds extensively onamphipods.[27]

In theBritish Isles,

dietary composition varies seasonally and regionally.European rabbitsare the most commonly taken prey in

areas where they are common, especially in summer. A range of small rodents and insectivores are preyed

upon, but to a lesser degree.European haresare occasionally attacked. Minks in Britain prey on several bird

species, withducks,moorhens,andcootsbeing most frequently targeted on lakes and rivers, whilegullsare

taken in coastal habitats. Aquatic species preyed upon in Britain includeEuropean eels,rock-pool fish such

asblenny,shore crabsandcrayfish.[28]American minks have been implicated in the decline of thewater volein

the United Kingdom and linked to the decline of waterfowl across their range in Europe. They are now

considered vermin in much of Europe and are hunted for the purpose ofwildlife management.[29]

In theCape

Horn Biosphere Reserve,mammals, including both native and exotic rodents, are the American mink's main

prey throughout the year, though birds are of equal importance during their summer nesting periods.[30]

The American mink may pose a threat topoultry.According toClinton Hart Merriam[31]andErnest Thompson

Seton,[32]

although the American mink is a potential poultry thief, it is overall less damaging than thestoat.

Unlike the stoat, which often engages insurplus killing,the mink usually limits itself to killing and eating one

fowl during each attack. Studies in Britain indicate poultry and game birds only constitute 1% of the animals'

overall diets.[28]

Relationships with other predators[edit]

The American mink replaces and sometimes kills the European mink wherever their ranges overlap.[33]

The

decline of European mink populations seems to coincide with the spread of the American mink.[34]The diets of

the American mink andEuropean otteroverlap to a great extent. In areas where these two species are

sympatric, competition with the otter for fish causes the American mink to hunt land-based prey more

frequently.[35]

Intelligence[edit]

An early behavioral study was performed in the 1960s to assess visual learning ability in minks,ferrets,skunks,

and house cats. Animals were tested on their ability to recognize objects, learn their valences and make object

selections from memory. Minks were found to outperform ferrets, skunks, and cats in this task, but this letter

(short paper) fails to account for a possible conflation of a cognitive ability (decision making,associative

learning)with a largely perceptual ability (invariant object recognition).[36]

Range[edit]

Natural[edit]

The species' natural range encompasses North America fromAlaskaandCanadathrough theUnited

StatesexceptArizonaand the more arid areas ofCalifornia,Nevada,Utah,New Mexico,andWest Texas.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Far_Easthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Far_Easthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Far_Easthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphipodhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphipodhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1407-27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1407-27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1407-27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Isleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Isleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Isleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_rabbithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_rabbithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_rabbithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_harehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_harehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_harehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duckhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duckhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duckhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moorhenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moorhenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moorhenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gullhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gullhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gullhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_eelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_eelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_eelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blennyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blennyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blennyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shore_crabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shore_crabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shore_crabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crayfishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crayfishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h492-28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h492-28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h492-28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_water_volehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_water_volehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_water_volehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlife_managementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlife_managementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Horn_Biosphere_Reservehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Horn_Biosphere_Reservehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Horn_Biosphere_Reservehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Horn_Biosphere_Reservehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-30http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-30http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-30http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poultryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poultryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poultryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton_Hart_Merriamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton_Hart_Merriamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton_Hart_Merriamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton_Hart_Merriamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Thompson_Setonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Thompson_Setonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Thompson_Setonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s885-32http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s885-32http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s885-32http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surplus_killinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surplus_killinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surplus_killinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h492-28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h492-28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h492-28http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=13http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=13http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1414-33http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1414-33http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1414-33http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-decline-34http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-decline-34http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-decline-34http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_otterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_otterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_otterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-35http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-35http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-35http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=14http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=14http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associative_learninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associative_learninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associative_learninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associative_learninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventral_streamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventral_streamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventral_streamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-36http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-36http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-36http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=15http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=15http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=15http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=16http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=16http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=16http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaskahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaskahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaskahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Stateshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Stateshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Stateshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Stateshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizonahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizonahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizonahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Californiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Californiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Californiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevadahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevadahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevadahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexicohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexicohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexicohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Texashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Texashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-iucn-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-iucn-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-iucn-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-iucn-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Texashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexicohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevadahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Californiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizonahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Stateshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Stateshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaskahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=16http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-36http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventral_streamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associative_learninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associative_learninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrethttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-35http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_otterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-decline-34http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1414-33http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h492-28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surplus_killinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s885-32http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Thompson_Setonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Thompson_Setonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton_Hart_Merriamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton_Hart_Merriamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poultryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-30http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Horn_Biosphere_Reservehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Horn_Biosphere_Reservehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlife_managementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_water_volehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h492-28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crayfishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shore_crabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blennyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_eelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gullhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moorhenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duckhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_harehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_rabbithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Isleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1407-27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphipodhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Far_East


12/17

Introduced[edit]

Mainland Europe and British Isles[edit]

An American mink being released from a fur farm inRomeby a member of theALF

Feral American minks in Europe are thought to be of domesticated stock derived from the N. v. vison, N. v.

melampeplusand N. v. ingenssubspecies. The first specimens were imported to Europe in 1920 for fur-

farming purposes. The American mink was introduced inItalyin the 1950s, and currently resides mostly in the

northeastern part of theItalian Peninsula.The majority of these populations do not appear to be self-sufficient,

though minks in theMonti PrenestiniandSimbruiniinLaziohave reproduced successfully.[37]

Escapees of fur farming farms established a self-sustaining and expanding population in theIberian

peninsulaby the second half of the 20th century. In 2013, theSpanishgovernment announced an eradication

plan of the species,[38]

as a means to protect the falling populations of European mink and other endangered

species affected such as thePyrenean desman.

The first mink farm inNorwaywas built in 1927, with escapees establishing wild populations within 30 years of

its establishment. The first feral mink populations arose in 1930, establishing territories in southwestern

Norway. These feral minks, augmented by further escapees, formed the basis of a strong population

inHordalandby the end ofWorld War II.Feral mink colonised eastern Norway in 1930 and had become

established in most southeastern counties in the early 1940s. By 1950, feral mink reached central Norway, with

further populations occurring in the northern counties ofNordlandandTroms.During the post-World War II

period until 1965, mink had colonised most of the country. In modern times, the American mink occupies all of

the Norwegian mainland, but is absent on some islands.[39]

The American mink was first imported toGreat Britainin 1929, though a series of escapes and releases lead to

the establishment of a self-sufficient feral population inDevonby the late 1950s, and others by the early 1960s.

InIreland,the American mink was not farmed until the early 1950s, thus feral populations established

themselves there much later. The species is now widespread in mainland Great Britain and Ireland, though

some places remain uncolonised. It has established itself on a few islands, includingArranandLewis and

Harris.[17]

Until 2005,mink huntingwith packs of hounds occurred in the UK. The total mink population in Great

Britain is estimated at 110,000 (England;46,750,Scotland;52,250,Wales;9750). This population may be

declining asEuropean otternumbers increase. There are no estimates for the mink population in Ireland, but it

is thought to be low, because of Ireland's strong otter population.[40]
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=17http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=17http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=17http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=18http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=18http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Liberation_Fronthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Liberation_Fronthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Liberation_Fronthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Peninsulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Peninsulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Peninsulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monti_Prenestinihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monti_Prenestinihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monti_Prenestinihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monti_Prenestinihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monti_Prenestinihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laziohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laziohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laziohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-mammiferi-37http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-mammiferi-37http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-mammiferi-37http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberian_peninsulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberian_peninsulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberian_peninsulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberian_peninsulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-38http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-38http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-38http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrenean_desmanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrenean_desmanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrenean_desmanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hordalandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hordalandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hordalandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordlandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordlandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordlandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tromshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tromshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tromshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-39http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-39http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-39http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Britainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Britainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Britainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irelandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irelandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irelandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Arranhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Arranhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Arranhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_and_Harrishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_and_Harrishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_and_Harrishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h489-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h489-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h489-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mink_huntinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mink_huntinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mink_huntinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotlandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotlandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotlandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_otterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_otterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_otterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h493-40http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h493-40http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h493-40http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ALFItalymink.gifhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ALFItalymink.gifhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ALFItalymink.gifhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ALFItalymink.gifhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h493-40http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_otterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotlandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mink_huntinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h489-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_and_Harrishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_and_Harrishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Arranhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irelandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Britainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-39http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tromshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordlandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hordalandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrenean_desmanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-38http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberian_peninsulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberian_peninsulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-mammiferi-37http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laziohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monti_Prenestinihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monti_Prenestinihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Peninsulahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Liberation_Fronthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=18http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=17


13/17

Former USSR[edit]

An American mink inLithuania'sKdainiaidistrict

In 1933, American minks were released into theVoronezh OblastinEuropean Russia.Until 1963, more minks

were introduced in various quantities in theVoronezhandArkhangelsk Oblasts,Karelia,inKalininsk,

Gorkovsk,VolgogradandChelyabinsk Oblasts,and intoTatarstanandBashkir,as well as

theLithuanianandByelorussian SSRs.Beyond theUrals,American minks were introduced in

theSverdlovsk,Tyumen,Omsk,Kemerovo,Novosibirsk,ChitaandIrkutsk Oblasts,in theAltaiandKrasnoyarsk

Krai,in theTuvan,BuryatandYakut Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republics,into

theMagadan,KamchatkaandAmur Oblasts,into theKhabarovskandPrimorsky Krai,into theChukotka

Autonomous Okrugand several other locations, includingSakhalinandUrup Island.In the Caucasus,

American minks were released intoNorth OssetiaandTien Shan.Originally, captive-bred minks were used, but

wild specimens were later released to facilitate the species' acclimatisation withinSovietterritories. Several

years after the first release, introductions into the ranges already held by native European minks werediscontinued, with most releases from then on taking place in Siberia and the Far East. Although considerable

areas were occupied by the American mink by the early 1960s, the species' Soviet range was never

continuous, as most released populations were isolated from one another.[41]

Iceland[edit]

The species has been present inIcelandsince the 1930s, and has become well established, despite it being

heavily hunted since 1939. However, its population underwent a 42% decline during the years 2002-2006,

which coincided with a decline insandeelpopulations resulting in a drop in the seabird populations on which

the minks feed.[42]

South America[edit]

The American mink was deliberately introduced for commercial fur production in several provinces

ofPatagoniain 1930. The animals escaped or were released from farms inChubut Provinceand now occur in

the Chubut andRo Negro ProvincesandTierra del Fuego.[43]
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=19http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=19http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuaniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuaniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuaniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C4%97dainiaihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C4%97dainiaihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C4%97dainiaihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voronezh_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voronezh_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voronezh_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Russiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Russiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Russiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voronezh_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voronezh_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voronezh_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkhangelsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkhangelsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkhangelsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kareliahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kareliahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kareliahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalininsk,_Saratov_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalininsk,_Saratov_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalininsk,_Saratov_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volgograd_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volgograd_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volgograd_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelyabinsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelyabinsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelyabinsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatarstanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatarstanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatarstanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashkir_Autonomous_Soviet_Socialist_Republichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashkir_Autonomous_Soviet_Socialist_Republichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashkir_Autonomous_Soviet_Socialist_Republichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuanian_Soviet_Socialist_Republichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuanian_Soviet_Socialist_Republichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuanian_Soviet_Socialist_Republichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byelorussian_SSRhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byelorussian_SSRhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byelorussian_SSRhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uralshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uralshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uralshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sverdlovsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sverdlovsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sverdlovsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyumen_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyumen_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyumen_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kemerovo_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kemerovo_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novosibirsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novosibirsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novosibirsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chita_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chita_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chita_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irkutsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irkutsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irkutsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altai_Kraihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altai_Kraihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altai_Kraihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krasnoyarsk_Kraihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krasnoyarsk_Kraihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krasnoyarsk_Kraihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krasnoyarsk_Kraihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuvan_People%27s_Republichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuvan_People%27s_Republichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuvan_People%27s_Republichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Buryatiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Buryatiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Buryatiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakut_Autonomous_Soviet_Socialist_Republichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakut_Autonomous_Soviet_Socialist_Republichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakut_Autonomous_Soviet_Socialist_Republichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magadan_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magadan_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magadan_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamchatka_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamchatka_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamchatka_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amur_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amur_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amur_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khabarovsk_Kraihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khabarovsk_Kraihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khabarovsk_Kraihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primorsky_Kraihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primorsky_Kraihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primorsky_Kraihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chukotka_Autonomous_Okrughttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chukotka_Autonomous_Okrughttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chukotka_Autonomous_Okrughttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chukotka_Autonomous_Okrughttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakhalinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakhalinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakhalinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urup_Islandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urup_Islandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urup_Islandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Ossetiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Ossetiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Ossetiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tien_Shanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tien_Shanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tien_Shanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Unionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Unionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Unionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1399-41http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1399-41http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1399-41http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=20http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=20http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandeelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandeelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandeelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-42http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-42http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-42http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=21http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=21http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patagoniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patagoniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patagoniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chubut_Provincehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chubut_Provincehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chubut_Provincehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%ADo_Negro_Provincehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%ADo_Negro_Provincehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%ADo_Negro_Provincehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tierra_del_Fuegohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tierra_del_Fuegohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-43http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-43http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-43http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MustelaVison001.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MustelaVison001.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MustelaVison001.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MustelaVison001.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-43http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tierra_del_Fuegohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%ADo_Negro_Provincehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chubut_Provincehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patagoniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-42http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandeelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-s1399-41http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Unionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tien_Shanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Ossetiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urup_Islandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakhalinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chukotka_Autonomous_Okrughttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chukotka_Autonomous_Okrughttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primorsky_Kraihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khabarovsk_Kraihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amur_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamchatka_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magadan_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakut_Autonomous_Soviet_Socialist_Republichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Buryatiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuvan_People%27s_Republichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krasnoyarsk_Kraihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krasnoyarsk_Kraihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altai_Kraihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irkutsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chita_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novosibirsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kemerovo_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyumen_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sverdlovsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uralshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byelorussian_SSRhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuanian_Soviet_Socialist_Republichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashkir_Autonomous_Soviet_Socialist_Republichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatarstanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelyabinsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volgograd_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalininsk,_Saratov_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kareliahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkhangelsk_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voronezh_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Russiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voronezh_Oblasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C4%97dainiaihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuaniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=19


14/17

Diseases and parasites[edit]

The American mink often carries lighttickandfleainfestations. Tick species known to infest minks

includeIxodes hexagonus,I. canisuga,I. ricinus,and I. acuminatus. Flea species known to infest minks

include Palaeopsylla minor, Malaraeus penicilliger, Ctenopthalmus noblis, Megabothris walkeri, Typhloceraspoppei, andNosopsyllus fasciatus.Endoparasitesinclude Skrjabingylus nasicolaand Troglotrema acutum.

[40]

Transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME) is apriondisease of mink, similar

toBSEincattleandscrapieinsheep.A 1985 outbreak of TME in Stetsonville, Wisconsin resulted in a 60%

mortality rate for the minks.[44]

Further testing revealed this agent is transmissible between mink, cattle, and

sheep. The Stetsonville outbreak may have been due to the animals being fed the carcasses of other infected

animals.[45]

Decline of wild mink[edit]

Because of numerous incidents of domestic mink escaping from fur farms and establishing themselves in the

wild, concern has arisen among conservationists of the possible repercussions such escapes may have on

natural wild mink populations. Domestic mink are larger than wild mink, which may cause problems with the

ecosystem when they escape. Minks are solitary, territorial animals and are intolerant of other minks. In times

of overpopulation, they control their own numbers by either killing each other through direct conflict or by

causing weaker minks to be driven from territory until starvation sets in.[46]

When hundreds or thousands of

released domestic minks flood an ecosystem, it causes a great disturbance for the wild minks, resulting in the

deaths of the majority of the released mink and many of the wild ones from starvation or injuries incurred

fighting over territory.[46]When a domestic mink survives long enough to reproduce, it may cause problems for

the wild mink populations.[47]The adding of weaker domestic mink genes into wild mink populations is believed

by some to have contributed to the decline of mink populations in Canada.[47]

A 2006 study in Denmark concluded, due to frequent escapes from existing mink farms, Closing mink farms

may result in a crash of the free-ranging population, or alternatively it may result in the establishment of a

better-adapted, truly feral population that may ultimately outnumber the population that was present before

farm closures. The study reported more information would be necessary to determine the outcome.[48]

Another

Danish study reported a significant majority of the wild mink were mink which had escaped from fur farms.

About 47% had escaped within two months, 31% had escaped prior to two months, and 21% may or may not

have been born in nature. The survival rate for recently released minks is reportedly lower than for wild minks,

but if feral minks survive at least two months, their survival rate is the same as for wild minks. The authors

suggest this is due to the rapid behavioural adaptation of the animals.[49]

Relationships with humans[edit]

Fur use[edit]
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=22http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=22http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tickhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tickhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tickhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ixodes_hexagonushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ixodes_hexagonushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ixodes_hexagonushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ixodes_ricinushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ixodes_ricinushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ixodes_ricinushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nosopsyllus_fasciatushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nosopsyllus_fasciatushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nosopsyllus_fasciatushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endoparasitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endoparasitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endoparasitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h493-40http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h493-40http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-h493-40http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bovine_spongiform_encephalopathyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bovine_spongiform_encephalopathyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bovine_spongiform_encephalopathyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrapiehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrapiehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrapiehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheephttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheephttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheephttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-44http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-44http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-44http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-45http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-45http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-45http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=23http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=23http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-Dunstone-46http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-Dunstone-46http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-Dunstone-46http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-Dunstone-46http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-Dunstone-46http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-Dunstone-46http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-Bowman-47http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-Bowman-47http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-Bowman-47http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-Bowman-47http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-Bowman-47http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-Bowman-47http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-48http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-48http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-48http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-Hammershoj-49http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-Hammershoj-49http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-Hammershoj-49http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=24http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=24http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=24http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=25http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=25http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=25http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=25http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_mink&action=edit&section=24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_note-Hammershoj-49http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_mink#cite_no

Documents

American Mink