Owls Aren't Wise and Bats Aren't Blind by Warner Shedd

Author:Warner Shedd [Shedd, Warner]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Nonfiction
ISBN: 9780307421418
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Published: 2009-03-26T04:00:00+00:00

THE MINK

Curiously, and uncharacteristically for most members of the weasel family, little in the way of folk myths and erroneous beliefs seem to have sprung up concerning the mink (Mustela vison). Why this is so is anyone’s guess. Although infrequently seen, even in rural areas, the mink is widespread and common. Its range encompasses all of North America save Mexico, the Southwestern United States, and the Arctic reaches of Canada.

Mink are almost the same size as marten, though they are very slightly shorter and heavier. The differences make sense: the marten’s light weight enables it to leap along slender branches, while the mink’s body, just a bit stockier, works well for one who spends much of its time in the water. Considered semiaquatic, mink function well in an aquatic environment, although they lack the adaptations of their big cousins, the otters (see below). Good swimmers, mink lack the necessary lung power for sustained dives, and usually are submerged for only five to twenty seconds. Moreover, the mink’s eyes are incompletely adapted for underwater vision. Consequently, mink spend much of their time foraging along the edges of streams and marshes, both in and out of the shallows, rather than diving after fish.

Frogs, salamanders, crayfish, and other aquatic creatures make up a good share of a mink’s diet, with an occasional fish thrown in for good measure. Muskrats are also a favorite prey of mink, which follow them into their houses or burrows and there dispatch their hapless victims. In addition, mink prey on baby ducklings whenever possible.

Although mink are at home in and under the water, they also spend much time hunting on land. Mice, voles, rabbits, birds, eggs, and similar fare are all dinner for the mink while on land. Poultry also suffer occasional depredation by mink, and more than one hen-coop massacre blamed on weasels can be laid at the door of its semiaquatic cousin! Like weasels, mink engage in surplus killing and cache food; they also emulate weasels in trailing by scent.

Despite their wide range, relative abundance, and considerable time spent traveling about on land, mink are seldom seen. This is because they are primarily, though not completely, nocturnal.

Although mink are usually found near water, they’re by no means wedded to it. Last winter I happened to glance out one of our windows and was surprised to see a mink running along the edge of our woods. We live a good quarter-mile from water, and the mink was headed in a direction where no appreciable water can be found for at least another mile. This seemed to trouble the mink not at all as it unconcernedly bounded on its way through the woods.

On another December day in a snowy forest, I found the typical two-step tracks of what I at first assumed was a weasel. On closer inspection, however, the tracks seemed too large for a weasel. Although the tracks came from an area where there was no water for a long distance, I became suspicious. Sure enough, the tracks eventually led to a small brook, mostly frozen over after a spell of very cold weather.

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