Mink
- For other uses, see Mink (disambiguation).
Mink | ||||||||||||
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European Mink (Mustela lutreola)
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Scientific classification | ||||||||||||
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Neovison vison |
Sable is the common name for a carnivorous mammal, Martes zibellina, of the marten genus (Martes) and weasel family (Mustelidae), characterized by a slender body, short limbs, bushy tail, and sharp-clawed, five-toed feet. Sables have been valued historically for their soft, thick, dark fur, which remains a luxury good to this day.
There are two living species of mink. The American Mink and the European Mink. The extinct Sea Mink is related to the American Mink, but is much larger. All three species of mink are dark-colored, semi-aquatic, carnivorous mammals of the family Mustelidae, which also includes the weasels and the otters. The American Mink is larger, and more adaptable than the European Mink. 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 American Mink's fur has been highly prized for its use in clothing, with hunting giving way to large-scale mink farming. Its treatment has also been a focus of animal welfare activism.
American Mink have found their way into the wild in Europe (including Great Britain) and South America, after being released from mink farms by animal rights activists. American Mink are believed by some to have contributed to the decline of the less hardy European mink through competition. Trapping is used to control and eliminate any feral American Mink.
Species
- European Mink Mustela lutreola
- American Mink Neovison vison
- Sea Mink Neovison macrodon (extinct)
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). 2006a. Neovison Baryshnikov and Abramov, 1997. ITIS Taxonomic Serial No.: 726247. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). 2006b. Neovison macrodon (Prentis, 1903). ITIS Taxonomic Serial No.: 726283. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). 2006c. Neovison vison (Schreber, 1777). ITIS Taxonomic Serial No.: 726284. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). 2006d. Mustela lutreola (Linnaeus, 1761). ITIS
Taxonomic Serial No.: 621951. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
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