Mustelidae Author Don E. Wilson Author Russell A. Mittermeier text 2009 2009-01-31 Lynx Edicions Barcelona Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 1 Carnivores 564 656 book chapter http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5714044 df4b6a3c-ae64-4bcf-a990-77fc6599759c 978-84-96553-49-1 5714044 47. European Mink Mustela lutreola French: Vison d'Europe / German: Europaischer Nerz / Spanish: ison europeo Taxonomy. Viverra lutreola Linnaeus, 1761 , Finland . Monotypic. Distribution. Belarus , Estonia , France , Latvia , Romania , Russia (W of Urals), and N Spain . Descriptive notes. Head-body 20-36 cm , tail 12-17.5 cm ; weight 650-1000 g (males), 500-600 g (females), adult males are slightly larger than females. The European Mink has a long, slender body and short limbs. The pelage is dense and short, and reddish-brown in color; the underparts are paler than the back. A margin of white occurs around the mouth and sometimes on the chest and throat. The skull is flat and narrow. Dental formula: 1 3/3, C 1/1, P 3/3, M1/2=34. Habitat. European Mink are found along streams, rivers, and lakes. They are rarely found more than 100 m from fresh water and prefer waterways with densely vegetated banks. In south-Western Europe, radio-collared European Mink used areas that had low forest cover and bramble or shrub cover along the riverbank; they avoided areas with dense forest cover. In south-western France , radio-collared European Mink had a strong preference for flooded habitats, particularly open marshes, flooded woodlands, and moorlands; they seldom left riparian forest corridors. Food and Feeding. The diet includes small mammals, birds, amphibians, fish, molluscs, crabs, and insects. The chief prey is often the Water Vole. In northern Spain , scat analysis revealed a diet based on small mammals (relative frequency of occurrence 36:9%), fish (30-6%), and birds (17-8%). The Wood Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) was the most consumed small mammal and cyprinids (mainly Barbus sp.) were the most frequently eaten fish. The average size of consumed fish was 13- 5 cm , and the average weight was 31- 5 g ; males ate larger and heavierfish than females. In north-east Belarus , three out of nine individuals studied were specialists on frogs (77-97%, mainly the common frog Rana temporaria). One individual fed mostly on crayfish (Astacus astacus, 62%), and the other five were generalist predators. Excess food may be cached for later use. Activity patterns. Mainly nocturnal and crepuscular. Den/rest sites are in crevices, amongst tree roots and dense bramble patches, or in burrows, either self-excavated or taken from a Water Vole. In south-western France , rest sites were mainly found above ground in flooded areas, under bushes or in cavities between tree roots. Movements, Home range and Social organization. European Mink are terrestrial, but swim and dive well. Home ranges average 32 ha for males and 26 ha for females. In south-Western Europe, the length of home ranges varied between 11-17 km along watercourses for five males , and was 0-6 and 3-6 km for two females . The home ranges of males were larger than those found in previous studies and most females captured were found within the home range of a male. Males occupied adjoining river sections with minimal range overlap, suggesting an intra-sexual exclusive spacing pattern for males. In autumn and winter, there may be extensive movements to locate swift, nonfrozen streams. Population densities may reach 12 animals/ 10 km of shoreline. Breeding. Mating occurs from February to March. Gestation is 35-72 days. Births occur in April and May in rock piles, under roots, in hollow trees, or in abandoned buildings. Litter size is two to seven, usually four or five. The young are born blind, and at birth average 8- 4 g for males and 7- 6 g for females. The eyes open after 30-36 days. They are weaned at ten weeks and attain sexual maturity after 9-10 months. Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered in The IUCN Red List. The European Mink has declined over much of its former range and has been extirpated from Austria , Bulgaria , Czech Republic , Germany , Hungary , Montenegro , Poland , Serbia , and Slovakia . Habitat loss and degradation is a serious threat in many parts of Europe. Ongoing destruction and degradation of freshwater and associated terrestrial habitats has been caused by hydroelectric development, river channelization, and water pollution. Although its fur is not as valuable as that of the American Mink, the European Mink was widely trapped for commercial purposes. It is now legally protected in all range states and at least part of the population occurs within protected areas. However, accidental trapping still poses a threat. In France , secondary poisoning and trapping of European Mink has occurred as a result of efforts to control Coypu (Myocastor coypus) and small carnivore species. Accidental mortality through vehicle collisions is a problem in some areas. Competition with the American Mink (an alien invasive species) has been hypothesized as a contributing factor. In Spain and France , hybridization with the European Polecat may also be a threat. Field studies have been undertaken to determine its ecological requirements, to analyse the causes of its decline, and to assess the genetic variability of western populations. In Spain and France , programmes have been started to control the American Mink population. A captive breeding programme was launched in 1992 under the European Zoo Association. Reintroduction efforts are underway in Germany and Russia . The European Mink has recently colonized and spread into northern Spain ; it was absent from this country before 1950. Recent genetic studies have shown there is very low genetic variability within this species, which could pose an additional threat. Bibliography. Dunstone (1993), Fournier et al. (2007), Garin, Aihartza et al. (2002), Garin, Zuberogoitia, et al. (2002), Michaux, Hardy et al. (2005), Michaux, Libois et al. (2004), Palazon et al. (2004), Sidorovich et al. (2001), Wozencraft (2005), Youngman (1990), Zabala, Zuberogoitia, Garin & Aihartza (2003), Zabala, Zuberogoitia & Martinez-Climent (2006).