Structure and dynamics of the trophic spectrum of the American mink (Neovison vison) in the Southern Urals

Abstract

The peculiarities of feeding of the American mink (Neovison vison) near lakes and mountain rivers of the Southern Urals are studied. Significant differences are shown between structure and dynamics of the mink diet near lakes and mountain rivers. The diet of minks near mountain rivers depends on the abundance of small-sized mammals inhabited at the banks, which is determined by properties of the hydrological regime in each season.