FIELD BOOK OF MAMMALS 



elongate and supple; head sub triangular viewed from above; 

 ears small; neck long; legs short; tail about half as long as 

 head and body, moderately bushy; feet with five toes; pelage 

 composed of soft underfur more or less concealed by long. 



Fig. 25. Mink 



glistening guard-hairs; color dark, glossy brown; anal musk- 

 gland well developed; semi-aquatic in habit; alert and active 

 in behavior. 



Color. — Sexes colored alike; no noticeable seasonal variation. 



Upperparts a uniform dark umber-brown, rich and glossy 

 in appearance, slightly darker along back and tail ; underparts 

 like upperparts except for white area on chin and irregular 

 white spots which may be scattered anywhere. 



Immature pelage not quite as dark as adults, and lacking 

 most of the long, hard, outer hairs. 



Measurements. — Females noticeably smaller than males. 

 Total length, males, 24 inches; tail vertebrae, 8 inches; hind 

 foot, 2.5 inches. Weight (large male) 2 pounds; females, 

 I pound, 10 ounces. 



Geographical Distribution. — Nearly all of North America, 

 from Gulf of Mexico north to Arctic Circle. 



Food. — Strictly carnivorous; fish, frogs, snakes, crayfish, 

 small mammals, such as Muskrat, Mice, and Rabbits, and birds. 



Enemies. — Few in number; Great Homed Owl. 

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