. The Canadian field-naturalist. 1988 Campbell: Status of the Sea Mink 305. Figure I. Drawing of the Sea Mink, Mustela macrodon. (Drawing by J-C. Campet, courtesy Department of Fisheries and Oceans) abundant and much effort was required in hunting the species. It quickly disappeared once the value of the pelts was recognized. There have been occasional sightings of minks much larger than the Common or American Mink in the Bay of Fundy area {see Wright 1962) which may be elusive survivors of this species. Such sightings are few and far between and none were verified. None have been reported sin
. The Canadian field-naturalist. 1988 Campbell: Status of the Sea Mink 305. Figure I. Drawing of the Sea Mink, Mustela macrodon. (Drawing by J-C. Campet, courtesy Department of Fisheries and Oceans) abundant and much effort was required in hunting the species. It quickly disappeared once the value of the pelts was recognized. There have been occasional sightings of minks much larger than the Common or American Mink in the Bay of Fundy area {see Wright 1962) which may be elusive survivors of this species. Such sightings are few and far between and none were verified. None have been reported since 1942. Habitat The Sea Mink occurred along the rocky coasts and offshore islands of New England north to the Bay of Fundy and, possibly, Newfoundland, a habitat now occupied by the American Mink. Although no studies of their biology were made, it appears that Sea Minks preferred coastal habitats where tidal pools offered crabs, fish, and seabirds as a source of food. General Biology Nothing is known for certain regarding the biology of the species, its habits, reproductive capabilities or movements. Wright (1962) offers some hints based on anecdotal accounts which indicate that, like the American Mink, the species was solitary and nocturnal and that it spent much of its time at sea, more like the Sea Otter {Enhydra lutris) than a mink. Wright (1962) suggests that litters were 5 to 6 kits, born in May or June, and were soon independent of the mother, quickly adopting the solitary life and coming together only to mate. Adult females were described as being about the same size, or slightly larger than, the American Mink and males twice as big (Wright 1962; Banfield 1974). Growth must have been rapid if maturity was reached at ten months, as suggested by Wright (1962). They differed from the American Mink not only in over-all size but in colour and in size of the teeth and skull (Prentiss 1903; Banfield 1974). They were also said to have had a peculiar smell (Wright 1962; Banfiel
Size: 2037px × 1226px
Photo credit: © Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauthorottawafieldnaturalistsclub, bookcentury1900, bookcolle
