American mink: maintenance and care

Mink is a dexterous and moving animal. Because of silky thick fur, it is bred for industrial purposes.

As for the species of this beautiful animal, there are only two in the world. It is European and American mink (eastern). The latter of these belongs to the class of mammals and the order of predators. Mink American - a species from the family of cunies. She represents the kind of ferrets.

Differences of species

The American mink was formerly considered the closest relative of the European mink. However, this statement disproved the latest genetic studies. The European species is similar to a column (a beast whose fur has a longer nap), and the American one with a marten and sable. Proceeding from this, the eastern mink sometimes stands out in a separate genus, called Neovison. Thus, it can be concluded that the two species had an independent occurrence. Their significant similarity was the result of evolution in the presence of similar habitat conditions.

What is the difference between a European mink and an American mink ? The external appearance of these species has small differences. The European mink has a much smaller skull, and it itself is slightly smaller. For example, in the American animal species, the body length reaches 50 cm, and the weight of its largest specimens is close to 2 kg. European mink have a mass of 0.5-0.8 kg and are very similar to ferrets.

On the legs of a European-looking animal there are membranes. They make him an excellent swimmer. On the paws of representatives of the American species, the membrane is poorly developed.

What is the difference between a European mink and an American mink ? More light color of fur. In addition, representatives of the European species have white spots on both lips. This color is also present in the American mink. Only this spot is located only on the lower lip, and also on the chin.

Description of the species

What is a mink American, what does this furry animal look like? Just like the European, it has a relatively small head. In addition, it can be distinguished by a flattened muzzle, short and round ears and well developed whiskers. The shape of the head is easy to determine the male and female. And this difference is manifested even in monthly puppies. The male has a more massive and wide skull. At the same time, it seems that his form is more dull.

Most eyes have black eyes. An exception is only some mutant forms. Their eyes can be brown, red, orange, yellowish and even greenish.

The American mink (see photo and description below) has a cylindrical body that is stretched out in length. Her forelimbs are somewhat shorter than the hind legs. Claws on them are almost non-stretch, and the soles of the feet are bare.

American and European mink have small limbs. And they are almost completely covered with fur. Despite the presence of swimming membranes, all five fingers located on each of the legs are capable of independent movement. This helps the animal to hang on the walls of the cage, and deftly climb over them.

How does the American mink swim? See the photo and description below. Due to poorly developed membranes, these animals move in lakes or in rivers due to wave-like movements of the tail and the body.

They can swim underwater for a distance of 30 m, submerged to a depth of 4-5 m. The speed of movement is from one to one and a half kilometers per hour. But on the ground the animal can move much faster. At short distances overland, he runs at a speed of up to twenty kilometers per hour.

The largest length of the jump for the American mink is 1.2 m in length and 0.5 m in width. On loose snow the animal moves with difficulty, preferring to dig out the courses in it.

Territory of distribution

The American mink comes from the Western Hemisphere. Its natural habitat is from Florida, New Mexico, Southern California, Arizona to the Arctic Circle.

But in the early forties of the last century these animals were brought to the territory of the USSR. Here they adapted well and began to multiply. To date, the American mink is the main competitor of the European species. This situation is observed in such countries as France and Germany, Scotland and England.

As for the European mink, recently its habitat has decreased noticeably. Today this animal can be found only in the Balkans and in Finland, in Poland, in the west of France and in the European territory of Russia. And this is all despite the fact that relatively recently the habitats of this species were much more extensive. They covered all European territories occupied by forest tracts (except for the north-west and south). Biologists explain the disappearance of the animal by the influence of hydroelectric power stations and the acclimatization of a more successful and large competitor, the American mink.

Lifestyle

For its habitat, the American mink (see photo below) chooses the same places as the European mink. She prefers to settle in dense forests along marshes and lakes. Also, the animal loves rivers, which in winter there are many "hollows".

Mink European and American differences have on the arrangement of their shelter. In the second of the two species under consideration, it is more complicated. These are earthen burrows, sometimes borrowed from the muskrat. They have long twisting passages (up to 3 m), which connects several chambers. Such holes in the habitat of one individual are from 6 to 8. In the nest chamber, the American mink always lays out the litter of dry leaves, grass and moss. Often the lavatory animal arranges itself directly in its hiding place. In that case, he disposes of her behind the camera. Also, the latrine may be located near the entrance to the burrow.

In addition to burrowing individuals of the American species more often than European ones, they equip their brood nests in the trunks of fallen trees and in hollow hollows.

Fur farming

The fur of the American mink is much more valuable than its European counterpart. In North America, this animal has long been extracted by hunters, placing their tools in the winter forest for fishing. But to date, the source of furs were mink farms. Initially, they were discovered in Canada, and then, thanks to the ease of breeding this animal, many other countries adopted this experience. On such farms selection work was carried out. As a result, a black American mink was obtained, as well as platinum, white and blue. Artificial breeding of fur allowed to receive much more fur, than gave the fishing in nature.

Farm equipment

American mink can be kept both at home and in special rooms. But in that, and in another case, the animal must be placed in a cage.

Anyone who decided to engage in fur business, you will need to build your own farm. Its buildings should stand on a flat dry area, protected from snow drifts and winds.

The American mink prefers temperature conditions corresponding to the climate of the middle belt. If in the area where the farm is equipped, the thermometer column in summer rises above 30 degrees, then the room must have an air cooling system. Also, all the premises where the animal is kept are provided with electricity and water.

Around the farm, a sanitary zone with a width of at least three hundred meters is mandatory. And the distance to the nearest road should be from 25 to 30 m. The content of the American mink also requires taking measures to prevent the animals from leaving the territory of the farm. To do this, it is necessary to build a high fence, digging it into the ground for 30 cm, and in the upper part to nail the visor, directed towards the farm.

Conditions of detention

The American mink (see photo below) should be placed in cages, the floors of which are raised above the ground. The content of animals is separate. Adult individuals should be in individual cages set under a gable roof, which is called a shed. This device must be electrified and provided with water supply. As a rule, sheds are made in the form of rectangles, along the longitudinal sides of which are placed cells with animals. Such a device facilitates the process of feeding mink and cleaning manure behind them. In addition, with this arrangement, all stages of care can be easily automated.

Sheds must necessarily be covered with a net, which is buried in the ground for 30 cm (in this case, the animal can not dig under the fence). The roof of the canopy is made of asbestos-cement sheets, on top of which a wooden lattice is arranged. A ruberoid is put on it. In the aisles between the cells, the width of which should be not less than 1.17 m, it is necessary to lay concrete paths. The substitute must remain ground. This is necessary to absorb urine. In the cages for the animals they build out hinged houses. The rest of the territory is used for walking.

Manufacture of cells

An American mink is considered a mobile and very active animal. Because of this, keeping it in tight cells is unacceptable. The animal needs a free area for walking. It is believed that the mink grows under normal conditions, if for each individual a territory of 5.25 square meters will be allocated.

To build cells, you must use the right material. They can serve as a galvanized metal mesh. For the cell, you can not take such material that will eventually become rusty, because it will leave a dirty scurf on the wool of the animals.

For the manufacture of cells, a standard grid with 25 mm cells is taken. However, through such openings puppies can freely fall out to two weeks old. That is why in those cells where females are kept, mats made of a grid with a smaller cell are placed on the floor.

For the purpose of breeding, you are interested in such a small animal as the American mink? The maintenance and care of the animal in this case must be carried out according to all the rules. In cells, not only feeders and drinkers must be placed, but also small containers of water. In them mink will swim.

In addition, all elements in the cage must be well secured. Otherwise, the active animal will turn everything upside down.

Litter material

The bottom of the cell, which contains the American mink, must necessarily be covered with small wood shavings, straw or hay. And for each animal the volume of such material is not less than seventy kilograms per year. When caring for a mink, the lining is changed to the extent of its contamination. But it is worth bearing in mind that it is impossible to spread out the bottom of cells with rotting or spoiled material.

Diet

What does the American mink prefer to eat? The description of her natural diet is quite extensive. In natural conditions, the animal preys on small mammals, birds and fish. Raptors of reptiles and mollusks, amphibians and crustaceans eat. American mink due to its large size sometimes prey on muskrat, and in the famine years are ready to attack poultry.

In captivity, these predators are fed with meat and fish, grain and mixed fodders, bone, fish or meat flour, milk and dairy products, juicy fodders, fodder yeast, sprats, pumice, and fish or prefabricated fats. These foods should make up seventy percent of the daily ration of the animal. And it is impossible to save on feeding the mink. All that these animals will not receive with food, will affect their wool. After all, it is not without reason that 70% of the beauty of fur is provided by high-quality fodder.

As for plant foods, oat flour or buckwheat and barley, pea and millet are used. Mink sunflower, soybeans and pumpkins are given to mink, as well as beets and carrots, potatoes and turnips, berries and grain vegetables, tomatoes and cabbage. In the spring and summer periods, young grass and green onions, as well as root tops, are added to the food.

Type of ration

The main task for fattening mink is feeding the animal as much food as possible.

There are different types of feeding of fur animals. The first of them is fish. It is said about it if seafood accounts for more than fifty percent of the calorie content of the diet. The type of feeding can be meat. Such it is considered when the calorie content of animal products is more than fifty percent. Feeding can be mixed, or meat-grubbing. Such a name is given to the ration with equal content of both fish and meat products in it.

Diet

Feed the animals only twice a day - in the morning and in the evening. And you need to do this at strictly certain times. Exception is made by pregnant females. They need food more often - 3-4 times during the day.

Feed the animals every day, without any interruption. Fasting, even short-term, immediately reflects on the fur. He is thinning and fading.

For drinking and drinking is important. The animal must be provided with water constantly. This is especially true for those periods when the animal eats dry or canned food.

Breeding and reproduction of mink

To the appearance of offspring in animals it is necessary to prepare in advance. And the whole process requires careful planning and organization. As a rule, in March female geese begin the mink. Then the animals mate. Their offspring appear in the second half of April or in early May.

For 10-15 days before the expected date of delivery in the cells containing the female, it is necessary to lay a soft shaving or hay. This is useful for a brood, in which there are usually 5 to 6 puppies. In a kind of nest small animals will be up to 40 days, feeding on mother's milk and gradually accustoming to feeding. After this period, the mink is deposited in separate cells.

With proper care and maintenance, the American mink already by September will please you with magnificent winter fur. Until December, animals can be selected for skins.

The maintenance and cultivation of American mink lasts no more than 5,5-6 years. After that, the ability to reproduce is reduced in animals and the quality of fur deteriorates.