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Species
Neovison vison (Schreber, 1777)
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This semi-aquatic species is a versatile opportunistic predator (2) (4), preying on rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), water voles (Arvicola terrestris), and many other mammals, as well as a range of fish, birds, eggs, crayfish, and a variety of invertebrates (6). This species has had a devastating effect on native species; it has been implicated in the precipitous decline of the water vole, and poses a serious threat to game birds, fish and birds nesting on offshore islands (6). Although it can be active at any time during the 24-hour period, the activity of the American mink tends to peak at night and at dusk (6). They are solitary and territorial, with the male home range overlapping several female ranges (6). Mating occurs once a year, between February and April (6). During this time males leave their territories and increase their range in search of females (2). A single litter of four to seven young is produced between April and May (6). When they reach 13 to 14 weeks of age, the young disperse away from the place of birth (6).
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright Wildscreen 2003-2008 |
Source | http://www.arkive.org/american-mink/mustela-vison/ |
The American Mink, with its luxurious brown coat, is now bred on farms, or mink ranches, to provide fur to the clothing industry. This has relieved some of the stress natural populations endured from trapping over the past two centuries. The nocturnal, semi-aquatic Mink is now common along streams, lakes, and marshes throughout much of North America. Like other mustelids, Mink are good hunters. They consume crayfish, frogs, fish, birds, and small mammals. For some reason, few animals prey on them.
Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account
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This species can be found in the following regions of the western United States (according to the Bureau of Land Management classification of Physiographic Regions of the western United States):
1 Northern Pacific Border
2 Cascade Mountains
3 Southern Pacific Border
4 Sierra Mountains
5 Columbia Plateau
6 Upper Basin and Range
8 Northern Rocky Mountains
9 Middle Rocky Mountains
10 Wyoming Basin
11 Southern Rocky Mountains
13 Rocky Mountain Piedmont
14 Great Plains
15 Black Hills Uplift
16 Upper Missouri Basin and Broken Lands
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This species is known to occur in association with the following cover types (as classified by the Society of American Foresters):
More info for the term: cover
American mink occur in most SAF cover types, except those in the
southwestern deserts.
10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Neovison+vison |
Information on state- and province-level protection status of animals in the
United States and Canada is available at NatureServe, although recent
changes in status may not be included.
AL | AK | AR | CA | CO | CT | DE | FL | GA | ID |
IL | IN | IA | KS | KY | LA | ME | MD | MA | MI |
MN | MS | MO | MT | NE | NV | NH | NJ | NM | NY |
NC | ND | OH | OK | OR | PA | RI | SC | SD | TN |
TX | UT | VT | VA | WA | WV | WI | WY | ||
AB | BC | MB | NB | NF | NT | NS | ON | PE | PQ |
SK | YK |
GENERAL DISTRIBUTION:
American mink range across Canada, excepting the high Arctic, west through Alaska
and south throughout the United States except for the southwestern
deserts [10].
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This species is known to occur in association with the following plant community types (as classified by Küchler 1964):
American mink occur in most Kuchler plant associations, except those in the
southwestern deserts.
Solitary except during mating period and when females have young.
In good habitat, density may be 9-22 per sq mile (Banfield 1974).
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Hammerson, G., NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Neovison+vison |