August 2010 Articles

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North American mink (Mustela vison)

North American mink (Mustela vison) Source: Wildlife News, LSU AgCenter
The North American mink is found throughout the United States with the exception of arid regions in several Western states. It has a statewide distribution throughout Louisiana and is especially abundant in the swampy areas of the Atchafalaya Basin and along the Mississippi River. Mink also are found in significant numbers in the freshwater and brackish marshes of our coast. Mink are members of the mustelid family, which includes weasels, skunks and otters. They have an overall length of 19 to 23 inches, and the tail comprises approximately one-third of this length. Their body coloration is a fairly uniform dark brown above and below except for occasional white patches on the chin and throat. Mink are distinguished from weasels by a much bushier tail, along with a pelage that is denser and glossier. The thick underfur and numerous oily guard hairs make their pelage water-resistant and allow them to live a semi-aquatic existence. Like all mustelids, they possess a pair of anal scent glands that secrete a strong-smelling odor when they are frightened or alarmed. Mink are never found far from water; their dens are located under fallen logs, in hollow stumps and in old, abandoned muskrat and nutria burrows. A single litter is produced each year following a variable gestation period which is typical of all mustelids. The fertilized egg of the female can sometimes remain in the uterus for as long as 75 days beforeimplanting and continuing its development to a full-term fetus. Once implantation occurs, the gestation period is 30 to 32 days. Females give birth to an average of 4 or 5 young, which are blind and helpless at birth. Weaning takes place at approximately
5 to 6 weeks of age. Males are polygamous but will remain with the last female they mate and assist with raising the young. Mink feed on a wide variety of terrestrial and aquatic organisms – including rats, mice, rabbits and birds – along with fish, crabs, crawfish and frogs. During the crawfish season in Louisiana, mink will sometimes cause significant damage in crawfish ponds by raiding individual traps and consuming the contents. Trapping is the only viable control option for dealing with mink that are depredating crawfish ponds. During the trapping season, which for the current year extends until March 31, 2010, individuals with a valid trapping license may legally trap and remove mink from any private lands they are managing. Animals also may be pelted and the pelts sold. Outside of trapping season, individuals must have a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators permit to legally trap and remove mink that are creating nuisance problems in crawfish ponds or other agricultural operations. These permits are available after completing a test administered by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The test, along with the permit application, can be completed online by accessing the LDWF Web site at www.wlf.louisiana.gov. Mink taken outside of trapping season cannot be pelted and sold.