i 
MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA. 123 
animals are fed on sound, fresh meat, as they do not relish 
tainted flesh. In summer it is given to them daily, but in cold 
weather a large quantity is thrown in at once and allowed to 
freeze, the Minks helping themselves atpleasure. In February, 
their allowance is shortened, to get them into condition for 
breeding. Mr. Resseque claims that this slight degree of fast- 
ing makes them more lively and playful, and it is a part of his 
plan to imitate nature as closely as possible—their supply of — 
food, in the wild state, being restricted at this season. 
In the minkery, the sexes are not allowed to run together ex- 
cept during the month of March, which is considered the run- 
ning season in a state of nature. If allowed together fora 
longer period, the male teases and annoys the female. At this 
time, the males fight desperately, and if not soon separated one 
always gets the mastery. The females come in heat with great 
regularity, all being ready for the male within ten days; and the 
period of excitement lasts about four days. One male serves 
six females. The females reproduce when one year old. The 
duration of gestation scarcely varies twelve hours from six 
weeks. There is but one litterannually. The litters run from 
three to ten in number; the young are born blind, and remain 
so for five weeks. When newly born, they are light-colored, 
hairless, and about the size and shape of a little finger. By 
the time the eyes are open, they are covered with a beautiful 
coat of glossy hair. The young females develop sooner than 
the males, attaining their stature in ten months, while the males 
are not full-grown until they are a year and a halfold. Itis 
noted that in every litter one or the other sex predominates in 
numbers, there being rarely half of them males and the other 
half females. If taken in hand when their eyes are first open, 
they are readily tamed; they should not subsequently be al- 
lowed to remain with the mother or in each other's society. By 
continual petting and handling, they become like domestic rat- 
ters, and have all the playfulness of the young of the feline 
tribe. They may be handled, without fear of their sharp teeth, 
but they prove extremely mischievous, their scent leading them 
to food not intended for them. Their fondness for bathing will 
prompt them to enter a tea-kettle or any open vessel; and when 
wetted they will roll and dry themselves in a basket of clothes 
fresh from the laundry, or even upon a lady’s dress, occasion - 
ing much inconvenience. 
Minks are not burrowing animals in a state of nature, but 
freely avail themselves of the holes of Muskrats and other ver- 
