Ermine - description, habitat, lifestyle

By ermine we mean a cute, fluffy beast, something similar to affection. He is known to many from the great work of art, where a woman holds in her hands the likeness of a small animal. They can be extremely aggressive or, on the contrary, cute. It all depends on the individual and its way of life. These animals are distinguished by their insinuation, they easily climb trees and run fast. They develop swampy, forested areas and lowlands, as well as nearby territories. Ermines belong to the Kuhnu family and have certain similarities with caresses.

Description

1. Uninformed categories of persons who do not have information about members of the mustelidas family, often can not understand who is in front of them. These animals are confused with caresses. However, a detailed study will clearly distinguish the ermine. Weasels do not have an elongated tail, they are slightly smaller, with a different coat structure.
2. Ermines are flexible, refined and elongated. They grow to 30 cm, and the tail is given about 10 cm.Despite their fluffiness, these animals weigh a little, only 0.2 kg. Samochki slightly less than the representatives of the male half. In the summer, the fur is especially beautiful, consisting of several shades. The upper part of the body with the head is pigmented brown, while the chest and abdomen are colored in a yellowish tone with a whitish tint.
3. In winter, ermines are colored a little differently. They turn white, and the fur itself becomes silky. At the end of the tail there are black blotches that remain for the whole year. The connoisseurs of fur products are extremely appreciated winter clothing of these animals. It is fluffy and durable, when viewed from a material point of view.
4. Studying the distribution, it should be emphasized that the animals of the represented family live in almost all corners of the planet. Especially a lot of them in the open spaces of our country, as well as nearby states. There are individuals in New Zealand, North America. In some countries, through ermines destroy the accumulation of rabbits.
5. On the territory of our state there are more than nine species of animals. They prefer to dwell nearby with water sources,therefore they are found along rivers and seas. Dwellings are built near urban settlements or villages, without fear of being caught. These animals are curious. They lead an active life, territorial property is marked and controlled, they live alone.
6. These animals are not tied to a particular place, and therefore may wander from one side to another. They are famous for their high intellectual abilities, they quickly get food and are ready to leave their homes if food ends. A remarkable characteristic is that the minks do not dig, but occupy from captured rodents or settle in ruins.
7. Individuals of female sex are responsible for the improvement of the home. They collect the skins of dead animals and drag them into the house, after which they warm. Basic nutrition is also quite diverse. It includes lizards, birds and their offspring, chipmunks, as well as fish. Females hunt better than male members of the species.
8. The animals of the species under discussion have their own tactics. In the process of attack, they aim exclusively at the neck area, that is, they descend just below the head and grab the neck from above.The main enemy of the beast is human activity and the whim of people. In view of the catch for fur products, the population declined decently, so there was a need for protection and inscription in the Red Book.

Habitat

1. Animals are distinguished by their briskness and curiosity. They flooded Eurasia, Asia, Japan, North America, part of Russia, America and Canada. Meet in Greenland. Artificially, ermines were brought to New Zealand to help control rabbits. However, the animals did not have a sense of proportion, they ravaged bird nests and killed offspring.
2. On the territory of the states of the former Soviet Union, these individuals are found in large numbers. They do not affect only excessively hot regions. In the process of choosing the area for living, these animals are guided by the amount of food. They stop on reed beds, near lakes and rivers, in meadow areas.
3. Practically do not live in the middle part of the forest. Also try to bypass the open areas. They feel wonderful in the ravines, steppes and coppices.They are not afraid to live near people, so they can live peacefully in gardens, in the fields and in parks.

Nutrition

1. Immediately it is worth mentioning the fact that the individuals of the species under discussion are ranked in the predatory category. Therefore, they consume the appropriate food. Rodents are usually prey. We are talking about chipmunks, voles, and shipments, etc. Due to the special structure of the body, the ermines get into the minks of the prey and simply drive them out or catch them by surprise. In the winter they make their way under the snow.
2. But small rodents can not grab, because they do not prolazyat to them in the house. Also, the basic menu includes small birds and especially their offspring. Eat fish, lizards. Can eat aquifers or insects. Also in the course are rabbits with partridges and grouse. Eat up human reserves.
3. A surprising fact is that the time of hunting for rabbits, the predators in question perform a real dance of death. Near the victim the ermine begins to make jumps and somersaults. Thus the predator twists, imperceptibly approaching prey.
4. As soon as the distance is reduced to the optimal distance, the predator presented is rapidly biting the rabbit in the neck.In this case, the death of the victim in most cases comes from fright or shock. The bottom line is that small canine ermine does not cause fatal harm to prey.

Breeding

1. The represented individuals do not belong to long-livers, and a couple of years do not live in the wild. With domestic care, the animal can live up to 7 years. Ermines reach sexual maturity at approximately 1 year of life.
2. As for the females, they are ready for reproduction almost from birth. Sexually mature males can fertilize females that are barely 2 months old. As for the mating season and reproduction, this happens in animals once a year.
3. The mating season begins at the end of winter and lasts until the middle of summer. At this time, the males are most active. As for the young, the offspring appears only in the next year of spring. Animals are latent and can control the process of pregnancy.
4. This stage can last up to 9 months. The female simply suppresses embryo development for a time. This is done to wait for more favorable conditions. On average, a female can bring up to 10 cubs at a time. At this time, the young are completely helpless.They have no coat, no teeth, they are blind.
5. While the babies are helpless, all this time the female is caring for them. After only 1 month, they see their sight. Literally after the same time, it is almost impossible to distinguish young animals from adults. Unfortunately, it is the fur of the represented individuals that is of particular interest to humans.
6. The fur of the ermines acquires special beauty in the cold season, therefore, it is valued almost like gold. It is noteworthy that the finished coat of ermine turns out just great. The color, texture and fluffiness of the fur of such a small animal remains on top. The fur is very pleasant to the touch, but, nevertheless, does not have high durability.
7. To wear such a thing is not very practical, so you should try to avoid various friction and impact on the fur coat. In addition, when sewing things, extremely thin lining is used, so you will not be able to warm up in frosty days in a fur coat. Despite such shortcomings, only wealthy people can afford such things.
8. The prices of products from an ermine many can plunge into shock. Therefore, very few people decide to buy an unusual and extremely expensive thing.Often, ermine fur is also used to decorate individual items of clothing. The price is also rapidly increasing for such things.

Behavior

1. Represented individuals can be considered loners. Moreover, living in complete solitude, an ermine can occupy an area of ​​up to 20 hectares. In his locality, he marks it with a special anal secret. Territories between females and males sometimes overlap, but individuals are found only during the mating season.
2. Interesting is the fact that animals lead a rather secluded lifestyle. However, it is precisely because of such a characteristic feature that the predator is very dexterous, decisive, strong and bold. Even despite the small size. He is bloodthirsty and quite aggressive.
3. Such animals are excellent hunters, they run fast, swim well and climb trees. In addition, they can easily navigate under the rubble and in the snow. What he can't do is just fly.
4. Presented predators prefer to be nocturnal. During the day, such animals try to rest.Ermines are not accustomed to dig burrows on their own, most often they occupy the burrows of rodents already killed by them. As a result, they set up a home there.

Ermines during the fasting period are able to migrate over long distances. And in the summer during the hunt, they easily overcome up to 15 km per day. If the animal is scared, it can even attack a person.

Video: ermine (Mustela erminea)