Spring diet of the American mink Mustela vison in the Mazurian and Brodnica Lakelands, northern Poland

Abstract

The analysis of 110 American mink Mustela vison Schreber, 1777 faeces, collected in May and June during 1987 - 90, from beaver lodges in the Mazurian and Brodnica Lakelands (northern Poland), showed great diversity in the food eaten. Mammals dominated in the diet (61.8% of occurrence). Among them, Arvicola terrestris and Microtussp. (mainly M.oeconomus) were most numerous. No beaver kit remains were recorded. Birds, amphibians, fish and crayfish were also important components of the mink diet. Each of these groups were found in about 25% of scats. The mink was found to be a typical generalistic predator. The diversity of the mink diet, most probably, was made possible by the abundant and diverse food resources in late spring.