American Mink, Neovison vison
(called Mustela vison in older sources)
Mustelidae or Weasel Family
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A
small, elongated animal, with a narrow head and moderately long tail.
Males are about a foot and a half long, and females a little bit
smaller. Fur is brown and nearly uniform in color over the
body. Winter fur is longer and denser, which has made it popular
for fur garments. The one in the pictures is wearing its summer
coat (it was seen in July). At home on land, in the water, in burrows, and even in trees, but generally stays close to water. They live in burrows in riverbanks or under logs, or in hollow trees or spaces between rocks. They feed on fish, rodents, including muskrats, birds, and crustaceans, although fish are preferred. They are territorial and drive away members of the same sex. However, territories overlap extensively with those of the opposite sex. They are native over much of the US and Canada, except for the extreme northeast Arctic and Arctic islands, and the Southwest. They are known from both Wildwood Park and Bissett Park, hanging out both in Connelly's Run and the New River. They have invaded parts of South America, Europe, and Asia, generally by escaping from fur farms. In Europe their presence correlates with declines in the native and endangered European Mink. River otters are similar and would not be unexpected in Wildwood. However, they are almost twice as big, and are usually a lighter brown with a large white patch under the chin. Otters also have a thicker, flatter, more tapering tail. Other weasel-like species don't hang out around water, and rarely swim. Beavers and muskrats are fatter. |
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