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European Mink


European Mink
Photo Information
Copyright: Paul van Slooten (pvs) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1168 W: 261 N: 3035] (13835)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-06-26
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Sony Alfa dSLR A900, Sony 300mm F2.8 G
Exposure: f/4.5
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-06-27 0:38
Viewed: 441
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Yesterday once again a pleasant surprise,as we went to the coast to do some sunbathing,we noticed mother mink was guiding (carried) her youngsters to a safe place,luckely I had my camera with me,but had to unpack it quickly from the backpack and camera settings were still on the ones of previous evening,I managed to capture a few shots before they dissappeared between the rocks again,it was quite funny to see and we were surprised that the juveniles needed still help as the already looked that big (slightly smaller as mum),maybe someone knows??,I was happy with the results I got because they moved quite fast and it was the first time I was able to capture this mammal with my camera ,hope you like it and enjoy the rest of your weekend



European Mink have slender, flexible bodies, bushy tails, and webbed paws. They have a sleek summer coat, and a darker, denser, winter coat, better suited to low temperatures. Their eyesight is generally poor, so that they rely heavily on their superior sense of smell while hunting.

It is sometimes possible to distinguish the European and American species based on the fact that the American Mink usually lacks a large white patch on its upper lip, while the European Mink always possesses one. Any mink without such a patch can be identified with certainty as an American Mink, but an individual with such a patch, if encountered in continental Europe, cannot be certainly identified without looking at the skeleton. The European Mink always and the American Mink usually has a white spot on the lower lip, which continues in broken or unbroken fashion to form ventral markings. Since each is a different shape, it is possible to recognize individuals based on these ventral patterns.

Fur also grows white over a scar and older mink tend to have more such patches, although absolute age is difficult to quantify without studying the animal from birth. In fur farms, mink are generally slaughtered after eight months, but can live several years in the wild (although mortality is high, especially among dispersing juveniles).

Male European Mink are from 28-43 cm in body length, and weight about 900 grams, while the females are only slightly smaller at 30-40 cm long and 600 grams in weight. These figures are somewhat smaller than those for the American Mink.

European Mink are solitary animals, and live in dens close to fresh water. They range over an area of shoreline or riverbank up to four kilometres in length, and defend the territory with a combination of scent marking and physical aggression. They are carnivores, and prey on a wide range of waterside animals, including fish, voles, rabbits, and waterfowl. The mink is a nocternal animal that doesn't hibernate during the winter.

Between February to March, males leave their dens and travel considerable distances in search of a mate. Both males and females mate with several different individuals over the course of the season. The female gives birth to four to six naked, blind, kits after a mean gestation period of 49.66 days to 51.7 days. This process may appear longer due to delayed implantation. The young kits are weaned at eight to ten weeks, and leave to establish their own dens at three to four months. They are sexually mature in time for the breeding season the following year.
PeterZ, zetu, thor68, uleko, nglen, jlinaresp, jconceicao has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2377 W: 94 N: 5465] (17432)
  • [2009-06-27 1:11]

Hallo Paul,
Zeker een verrassing wanneer je dit plotseling voor je ziet. En dan ook nog de camera bij de hand. Mooie opname met een scherpe focus op de wezel. Goede compositie.
Goed weekend,
Peter

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 643 W: 15 N: 1566] (6115)
  • [2009-06-27 2:19]

Hello Paul
Great capture taken in great moment and with sharp details.
Very well done.
Regards
Razvan

that´s a nice surprise! :-) good capture of the cute mink transporting its (big) baby. i guess i
should go sunbathing more often too.*g* well done & have a wonderful saturday, thor.

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2983 W: 162 N: 911] (2687)
  • [2009-06-27 12:05]

Hello Paul,
I like Minks even though they're a pest in the wild. We occasionally see them here down by the harbour among the huge boulders. This one looks cute carrying her offspring. Very well-timed, good light and colours and fine details.
TFS and enjoy the heatwave!! Ulla

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2900 W: 34 N: 8586] (32012)
  • [2009-06-27 13:44]

Hi Paul. How lucky to have seen this European Mink . And to have got this picture. Unusual to see it with its young still in its mouth. It must be very young. You were able to get a shot with good detail and natural colours. well done TFS.
Nick..

Hi Paul,

Very good capture of this mother very worried! ... very good picture, considering the situation. I see you had to drive very carefully because the brightness seems that the environment was difficult.

Great job, thanks for sharing.!

Jesús

Hello Paul,


Great capture.
Beautiful colours with excellent sharpness.
Light,focus and definition are splendid.
Good note.

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