Conservation & Ecology
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scats, in the same way that otters leave spraints. Scats and footprints at a site can often be a good way of establishing whether mink are present. Female mink have a single litter of
between three and six kits each year, typically between April and early May. Whilst nursing the young, the female will hunt intensively and vigorously over her home range - which can be up to two miles of waterways - and this has a devastating impact on water voles and nesting birds in the area. Therefore, it goes without saying that removal of female mink, before the end of April, will protect these species during their breeding season. American mink are often mistaken for
otters, but are much smaller with fluffier tails and pointed snouts. In size and
Inside this beautiful looking creature lurks an indiscriminate killer and, with no natural predators in the UK, their population has exploded, causing devastation as its range quickly spread
appearance, they look much like a polecat, although the latter’s distinctive white chin mark sets them apart, as does a similar and larger white chin mark on the slightly larger pine marten. Inside this beautiful looking creature lurks an indiscriminate killer and, with no natural predators in the UK, their population has exploded, causing devastation as its range quickly spread. Conservation bodies accept that mink
control is an essential tool in water vole conservation. However, this control must be appropriately targeted, humane and form part of a wider strategy to include habitat management for the water vole. It is useful to know the biology and habits of mink so that you can take steps to control them effectively and humanely. Their
lifecycle begins in winter when males start to look for females to mate with; mating has usually occurred by February/March. By late spring, females are likely to have dependent young established in a chosen den.
During the summer, mink are found in
family groups and can often be seen during the day. Once young mink have matured, they are usually forced out of the mother’s den to find their own territory, usually around late September/October time. As already highlighted, mink are very
destructive to several of our native species, but none so high profile as the water vole. Although the water vole has evolved with a natural suite of predators (ranging from herons to otters), none of these have the same capabilities as American mink.
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