This selection of Irish animals, native or introduced, is taken from the Appletree Press title Animals of Ireland. There will be a number of extracts from the book in coming months. The book contains highly detailed full colour illustrations to complement the detailed explanatory text.

Mink
Mustela vison
Minc Mheiriceánach

It is difficult to warm to this little animal, a released species. It is a native of North America which, having escaped (or been released) from fur farms over the past few decades, has gained a worse reputation than other importees like the Grey squirrel. It has yet to be proved that Mink out-compete other carnivores like the Stoat and the Otter but they certainly intrude aggressively in the Irish environment. Favouring wetland habitats they are known to catch a wide variety of small animals like rodents, fish and amphibians. They also raid the nests of waterbirds, taking eggs, young and even adult birds when accessible. Birds of the rail family are particularly vulnerable. They are voracious plunderers and the remains of their feasts in a reed-bed or along a river bank are indicators of their presence.

The majority of Mink seen wild in Ireland are black or brownish black in colour with a white patch on the throat, but there is considerable variation and recently sighted examples may be greyish or even white. The fur is thick and soft, particularly on the tail, and when it is swimming the top of the tail shows above the water, distinguishing it immediately from the Otter. It is also a much smaller animal than the Otter or the Pine marten (with which it has also been confused). It rarely exceeds 46 cm (18 inches), a third of which is tail, and it weighs under 1 kg (2.2 lb).

Little is known of the breeding habits of the animal in its feral state but presumably they correspond with those of similar carnivores. Judging from the animal's rapid proliferation it must produce several offspring per litter and enjoy a healthy survival rate.

Though still local west of the Shannon, Mink must be considered widespread and fairly common in Ireland, having spread from their initial points of escape (and release) in the 1960s. Extensive trapping has failed to reduce their numbers significantly and it is likely that they will increase uncontrollably and regrettably.

Other Medium Mammals from Animals of Ireland include:
Badger |
Fox |
Irish Hare |
Irish Stoat |
Otter |
Pine Marten |
Rabbit