3 OF A KIND

Here we profile the European mink and two other mustelid relatives. It is distinguished by its smaller size and white fur around its upper and lower lips.

EUROPEAN MINK MUSTELA LUTREOLA

IUCN STATUS: Critically Endangered LENGTH: 50–55 cm (male); 38–46 cm (female) WEIGHT: 0.8–1kg (male); 0.4–0.5kg (female) ID: Chocolate-brown all over, except for two white marks above and below mouth TERRITORY SIZE: 5–15km (male) POPULATION: Probably fewer than 5,000 in the wild – and falling fast DISTRIBUTION: Isolated parts of Spain, France, Romania, Estonia, Ukraine and Russia

AMERICAN MINK NEOVISON VISON

IUCN STATUS: Least concern LENGTH: 55–70cm (male); 47–60cm (female) WEIGHT: 0.7–2.1kg (male); 0.5–1kg (female) ID: Dark brown, with white mark on lower lip only TERRITORY SIZE: 1–6km (male) POPULATION: Unknown, but widespread; thought to be around 110,000 in UK alone DISTRIBUTION: Native to USA and Canada; widely introduced in South America and Europe

EUROPEAN POLECAT MUSTELA PUTORIUS

IUCN STATUS: Least concern LENGTH: 32–45cm (body); 12–19cm (tail) WEIGHT: 0.8–1.9kg (male); 0.5–1.1kg (female) ID: Creamy underfur with dark guard hairs; white face with dark ‘bandit’ mask around eyes TERRITORY SIZE: 1.5–5km2 (males) POPULATION: Estimated to be 63,000 in UK DISTRIBUTION: Most of Europe; absent from Ireland