Wildlife
Mink (Mustela vison)
Least Weasel (Mustela rixosa),
Ermine (Short-tailed Weasel)(Mustela erminea)
 Mink are a rich dark or russet brown weasel with a white chin and white spots on the throat and breast. Their heads are short and they have a pointed muzzle. Male mink usually weigh 2 to 4 pounds and stand 5 to 6 inches tall at the shoulder. Females are roughly half the size of males. Many species of mustelids (the weasel family) occur in Alaska but mink are considerably larger, darker colored, and lack the extensive white found on most weasels.
Mink hunt on land and in the water. They prey upon fish, snowshoe hare, rodents, birds, and insects.
Breeding usually occurs March thru April with young born in April or May. Litters average five kits and the newborns are only four or five inches long. Their eyes open at five weeks at which they are weaned. Families break up in the summer and mink are solitary until the breeding season.
Least Weasel
The least weasel is the smallest living carnivore. Least weasels are dark brown with light underparts in the summer. They characteristically turn entirely white in the winter but retain a few black, brown, and white hairs on their tail during all seasons. Least weasels are much smaller than Ermine, averaging 8 to 10 inches long and weighing only three ounces.
Least weasels prey mostly on mice and voles, but will also eat birds, fish and insects. Because of their small body size and high metabolism, they eat 40% or more of their body weight daily.
Young are born almost anytime of the year and litters range from 3 to 10 but usually average 4 or 5.
Ermine (Short-tailed Weasel)
Ermine appear chocolate brown above and yellowish-white below in the summer. In the winter they become snow-white but their tail remains distinctly black year-round. They have a long, thin body with short legs. On average they grow 14 to 16 inches long and weigh about seven ounces.
Ermine are adept predators and prey upon shrews and mice. They will also eat birds, eggs, young hares, insects, and fish. Their high metabolism requires them to consume nearly half their weight in food daily.
Breeding occurs in June through August and young are born April thru May. Litter sizes range from four to eight and their eyes open between 30 to 45 days.
Last updated: July 23, 2008
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