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Winter habitat preferences of feral American minkMustela vison in Biscay, Northern Iberian Peninsula

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Abstract

We studied correlates of habitat use of riparian feral American minkMustela vison Schreber, 1777 during winter in Biscay (Northern Iberian Peninsula). We live-trapped and radio-tagged 10 American mink (5 males and 5 females) and successfully radiotracked 7 of them (3 males and 4 females). During resting periods both sexes selected areas with dense scrub and near to deep waters. Both sexes used underground dens as well as resting sites located above the ground, but during cold days females rested in buildings much more often than males. Active females used areas of dense scrub, and males used large scrub patches. The results are interpreted in the light of mink hunting techniques and perceived predation risk: on larger scales, mink select areas primarily by food abundance, while on very small scales they use scrub and similar structures providing safe areas to hunt, forage and rest. The strong preference for banks with dense scrub provides options for management of the species.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sebero Otxoa 45, 5 B. 48480, Arrigorriaga, Biscay, Basque Country, Spain

    Jabi Zabala

  2. Icarus E. M. S. L. Icarus, C/ Pintor Sorolla 6, 1°, E-26007, Logroño, Spain

    Jabi Zabala & Inĩgo Zuberogoitia

  3. C/ Juan de la Cierva 43 (S.T. 100), 03560, El Campello, Alicante, Spain

    José Antonio Martínez-Climent

Authors
  1. Jabi Zabala
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  2. Inĩgo Zuberogoitia
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  3. José Antonio Martínez-Climent
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Correspondence to Jabi Zabala.

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Associate editor was Andrzej Zalewski.

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Zabala, J., Zuberogoitia, I. & Martínez-Climent, J.A. Winter habitat preferences of feral American minkMustela vison in Biscay, Northern Iberian Peninsula. Acta Theriol 52, 27–36 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03194196

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