At the beginning of the 19th century we could find individuals of this species throughout Europe, from Spain to Romania, even in the Arctic Circle. Today, European mink populations are extinct in more than 20 countries and the only three remaining populations are separated by more than 2,000 km of Earth. These three populations are found in Russia, Romania, and northern and southern Spain and France, respectively.
In this file on our site we will talk about this small mustelid accustomed to semi-aquatic life, its biology, habitat, customs and many more curiosities. Find out all about the European mink below:
Origin of the European mink
The fossil record indicates that the European mink (Mustela lutreola) originates from Eastern Europe, where he took refuge during the last great ice age 110,000 years ago. Approximately 12,000 years ago, when the glaciers that occupy France receded, the European mink began to expand, with a few individuals arriving in France in the 19th century and later in Spain, it is not known whether it was due to human activity or its own colonization.
There are at least six or seven subspecies, some of them already extinct. The populations of Spain are highly threatened, which is why the LIFE project of the European mink began several years ago together with other research groups from Eastern Europe.
The subspecies of European mink are:
- Mustela lutreola transsylvanica
- Mustela lutreola lutreola
- Mustela lutreola turovi
- Mustela lutreola biedermanni
- Mustela lutreola cylipena
- Mustela lutreola binominata
- Mustela lutreola novikovi
Discover more about the fauna of the Iberian Peninsula on our site.
Characteristics of the European mink
The European mink belongs to the mustelid family so its physical characteristics are very similar to those of other animals of this cluster. Its body is elongated, its legs are short and robust, and its tail is long, wider at the base and pointed at the end. The coat is lush and soft, chocolate brown all over the body, except for its lips, both lower and upper, where it has a characteristic white spot In this way it is easily distinguishable from another mustelid, the American mink, a species introduced in Spain through fur companies that is destroying the species and only has a small white spot on its chin.
The males are larger than the females, weighing 1, 1 kilograms, while the females only reach650 grams.
European mink habitat
The habitat of the European mink is the aquatic ecosystems of very different types such as rivers, streams, swamps, marshes and even coastal areas. In Spain it is usually found in the middle and lower courses of the rivers, those that carry clean and clear water and whose banks are covered with thick vegetation, where they can find food in abundanceDepending on the place, they can inhabit low altitude areas or even reach 1,300 meters. In Europe it is not normal to find them at more than 200 meters of altitude and they do not move away from the water more than 100 meters.
The pollution conditions of the river and the quality of the vegetation that surrounds it must be perfect. A dirty or polluted river will be abandoned by the mink. Their burrows are found on the banks, using natural holes in rocks or vegetation. Each individual has an average of four burrowsin its territory
Feeding the European mink
This mustelid is a generalist predator, that is, it can feed on a wide variety of prey such as river fish, small mammals such as rats, mice or voles, waterfowl, amphibians or reptiles. It is a great swimmer and diver, so it has no difficulty in capturing prey in the water. Outside of it it is a fast, agile and strong animal, in this environment, small mammals are its main food.
European mink reproduction
The European mink is a solitary and highly territorial speciesIn the same river course, maintaining well-defined territories, several individuals of different sexes and ages can live together. The territory of the males reaches 10 or 14 kilometers, where the territories of several females are immersed, which are usually smaller, around 2 or 6 kilometers.
They are animals night and crepuscular, their activity begins when the Sun begins to hide and ends at dawn, although the females can be somewhat more diurnal than males.
The reproductive period of the species begins with the mating of the females between the months of February and April. Through pheromones both sexes attract each other and the male begins to make a series of vocalizations called clucks, which seem to be essential for copulation to take place. This sound is taught by mothers to their young. The copulations are very aggressive and long, lasting several hours, where the male usually grabs the female by the skin of the neck and drags her along the ground.
Gestation lasts between 41 and 43 days and calving occurs in May and June. Each litter is usually made up of two and six pups that are born blind, toothless and hairless. At 30 days from birth, the pups are already more developed, their eyes open, their bodies covered with hair and all their teeth. At three months of age, the young will already have their adult size and will become independent from their mother in September. They reach sexual maturity at nine or ten months
