Polecat Ferret or Mink?

scott tilley · #1 (**permalink**) 22-06-2009, 04:10 PM

Hi, I would be grateful if you could give your views on this one. It was taken in Mull a couple of years ago and at the time I could not I.D. it. We visited a wildlife sanctuary on Mull and they I.D. it as a polecat ferret because they knew that the species was present where the picture was taken. I have described it as this on my website but I have had a email suggesting that it is a mink. Any Ideas?

Your help is much appreciated.

Many thanks

Scott

cutecoot · #2 (**permalink**) 22-06-2009, 04:21 PM

Looks more like a mink than a polecat ferret to me, Scott .. but a bit unusual that white mark down the front ..?

valleyforge · #3 (**permalink**) 22-06-2009, 04:23 PM

Hi Scott,

That's quite unmistakedly a mink ... an undeservedly maligned and persecuted mustelid in our opinion.

The Woodman · #4 (**permalink**) 22-06-2009, 04:44 PM

Undoubtedly a mink although there are feral ferrets on Mull.

Adam Cheeseman · #5 (**permalink**) 22-06-2009, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Undoubtedly a mink although there are feral ferrets on Mull.

Good job there are no Feral Ferrets on Fetlar

Cheers,

Adam

ChrisJB · #6 (**permalink**) 22-06-2009, 09:12 PM

The other week I had a very close encounter with a mink on Iona (right next to Mull). It ran right past me whilst I was scoffing my picnic. It had a fish in its gob as well.

Regards, Chris

RobinP · #7 (**permalink**) 22-06-2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valleyforge

That's quite unmistakedly a mink ... an undeservedly maligned and persecuted mustelid in our opinion.

Sorry, have to disagree, an unwelcome addition to our waterside, I would personally like to see them eradicated.

Dogghound · #8 (**permalink**) 22-06-2009, 10:19 PM

Yes a mink, they often have white on the throat and chest. Great photo by the way.

valleyforge · #9 (**permalink**) 22-06-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RobinP:
Sorry, have to disagree, an unwelcome addition to our waterside, I would personally like to see them eradicated.

Do you mean from the world ... or just your part of Harpenden?

Dogghound · #10 (**permalink**) 22-06-2009, 10:29 PM

I think it would be benificial to remove them from Britain and Europe (less of a problem there) so they are only present in their native range in North America. Although this is unlikely to ever happen as the scale of the project would be immense.