Mink

Posted December 22nd, 2007 by Anonymous

A mink is any of several furry, dark-colored, semi-aquatic, carnivorous mammals of the family Mustelidae, which also includes the weasels and the otters. It is naturally found in North America, northern Europe, and most of Russia west of Ural Mountains. Mink fur has been highly prized for its use in clothing, with hunting giving way to large-scale mink farming. Its treatment has also been a focus of much animal welfare activism.

While mortality is extremely high in the early months of the life of the American Mink, animals that do survive the first year can live as long as three years in the wild. In captivity, mink can live 10–12 years and have on average 4–5 kits per litter once a year. The mink is found in places which suit its habits throughout almost all North America, from Florida to the Arctic. An endangered subspecies, the Everglades Mink ( Mustela vison evergladensis ), is endemic to the Florida Everglades.

American Mink of other subspecies have found their way into the wild in Europe (including Great Britain) and South America, after many were released from or escaped from mink farms which were no longer commercially viable. Trapping is used to control and eliminate any feral mink.

The European mink is one of the most endangered mammals in the world. The endangered western population of European mink Mustela lutreola has shown a large decline over its natural range. The species has been extinct in central Europe since the beginning of the century and the mink's range is actually fragmented into two population units: an eastern population unit ranging from the Urals and Estonia to the Black sea, a population which is already subdivided into small units, and a western population. Inhabiting mainly forest brooks, the European mink occupies an intermediate semi-aquatic niche between the polecat Mustela putorius and the otter Lutra lutra . Polecats and European mink are able to hybridize achieving natural hybridization events between two native species (as found by Lodé Thierry).

Some more information on Mink.

It’s reported that Japan is “on the verge” of taking the Humpback whale off the kill list during its slaughter in the Southern Ocean this year.Thanks to a high-level diplomatic protest lead by Australia, the US Ambassador to Tokyo has revealed that Japan may agree to abandon the humpback kill because of the concerns.

It's a semi victory, but still not good enough. Japan will continue to hunt minke and fin whales, but have suspended the humpback kills.

...a ladies diamond watch from the Daniel Mink collection.With 30mm stainless steel case and pink dial set with 8 diamond hour markers, this is the perfect watch for the lady in your life, on the 18th day of Christmas.

he people of New York State are extremely fortunate in having a forest preserve on their doorstep. The Catskill Mountains is a wonderful area of lakes, rivers and waterfalls. It's a haven for wildlife such as coyotes, fishers, bobcats and minks.

“We love bands from the 70s and 80s, and we love modern pop music and modern rock music. We don't really try to pay homage to it.”

Mink - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A mink is any of several furry, dark-colored, semi- aquatic , carnivorous mammals of the family Mustelidae , which also includes the weasels and the otters

American Mink - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The American Mink" is a trademark of the American Legend Cooperative. The American Mink , Mustela vison , is a North American member of the Mustelidae family found in Alaska ...