Mink vs Otter

[Fauna]

While searching for Mink v Otter related stuff on the web...mostly in relation to what my former boss would repeatedly comment on (he heard it on some documentary) that young Mink would die of fright in the presence of Otter

Well i came across this short video of Otter, Mink and Seal, i thought folk would be interested in.

Dailymotion - Otters vs seal and mink in the West Highlands of Scotland - a Animals video

[nigel_b]

Excellent link Fauna, thank you!

[STYRBJORN]

[quote=eeyore;728084]

Originally Posted by STYRBJORN

not to mention the woozels that were a scourge of 100acre wood, intimidating a tiger, a bear, and a pig

And a miserable old donkey . . . I roo the day . . .

[valleyforge]

Originally Posted by RoyW

I never said that Otters would always react agressively to the presence of American Mink (hence ny use of the word perhaps when I suggested that similar responses might be possible), however, studies such as those linked early in this thread do suggest that Otters might drive American Mink from areas they spread into.

No, I got that Roy ... and I of course have no reason to dispute the authenticity of those observations where Otters may have appeared to react agressively towards mink ... but, I do still believe it's naive to suggest that as a possible general mechanism that should be applicable globally in otter-mink interactions, particularly since my own observations suggest that in my locality at least, it has most certainly not been the case (i.e. NO agressive interaction or 'driving out' has been apparent over a period of around 25 years).

Originally Posted by RoyW

I would expect that studies like those you suggest will show that the larger species have already established dominance in the habitat/areas that they prefer, and the other species are occupying niches that are not used by the more dominant predator, or have evolved ways of avoiding the other species (this is generally the case wherever two predatory species occupy the same home range).

I think we are largely in accord on this point too, although I'm not wholly convinced that either species perceives dominance or subserviance to the other ... otter and mink deploy scent signals in spraints to communicate their presence and their use of a resource in order to avoid conflict. Although the signals are intended for other members of the same mustelid species, it is reasonable that they might work between the species to some degree too.

I've always thought of sprainting in much the same terms as putting your 20p on the bar billiards table to signal that you are claiiming the next turn. Both parties understand the intent, so that the party currently playing on the table knows it will have to vacate it temporarily at the end of the game ... or risk a possible conflict.

Originally Posted by RoyW

As an example, this study (and probably others) suggests that Weasels avoid areas occupied by Stoats, even if there is abundant prey in these areas, while Stoats are not bothered by the presence of Weasels.

I used the stoat-weasel example only to illustrate that even between native mustelids with a marked size differential, there is no inherant hostility between the species, because they simply avoid conflict.

Originally Posted by RoyW

If you think about what you are saying here, you are actually suggesting that all of the behavoral studies that have ever been carried out on animals are pretty much worthless because they might only apply to some individuals.

Not at all ... each study or even casual observation adds to the sum total of what we know, but we'd be pretty naive if we based our entire perceptions of some (particularly these) species, based only on the conclusions of a few studies. Even from the studies cited within this thread we can see that subsequent reworkings have led occasionally to conclusions that are at complete odds to those that preceeded it. We often need to re-evaluate what we may have learned or been taught in light of new evidence.

In my own work as a rehabilitator, I've often been surprised to learn that the actual demeanour of certain mammals is a far cry from the general (published and anecdotal) perceptions of them. None of the mustelids I have had close encounters with have been in any way inherently aggressive for instance, either to me or to others of their kind. Mustelids are typically fearlessly inquisitive and playful, rather than hostile, in the face of new experiences that are not already logged with them as potentially threatening.

[valleyforge]

Originally Posted by Fauna

... young Mink would die of fright in the presence of Otter

That made me smile too ...

Nice film clip, Fauna ... thanks for that link.

[minkhunter]

quote: valleyforge
...........but, I do still believe it's naive to suggest that as a possible general mechanism that should be applicable globally in otter-mink interactions, particularly since my own observations suggest that in my locality at least, it has most certainly not been the case (i.e. NO agressive interaction or 'driving out' has been apparent over a period of around 25 years).


Which neatly brings us back to the original point of how and why is it now being generally promulgated that otters 'drive out mink'......... even Gordon Buchanan in that excellent clip posted earlier quoted it.

I have once witnessed an otter chasing a mink out of a jumble of rocks where I know there is a holt, but that was 20 years ago and there are still plenty of mink and plenty of otters around.

[nigel_b]

Originally Posted by minkhunter

I have once witnessed an otter chasing a mink out of a jumble of rocks where I know there is a holt, but that was 20 years ago and there are still plenty of mink and plenty of otters around.

Do you think this was "let's defend the cubs", "let's chase the mink off" or something else?

[minkhunter]

Couldn't say for sure.... there was an awful lot of squawking and squeaking and two bundles of fur came tumbling out of the rocks on the shore line then raced along the seaweed shore and disappeared.