Food Selection in Relation to Habitat in Mink (Mustela vison Schreber) in Sweden

The food habits of the mink in Sweden were studied in three different habitats by means of scat analyses. The entire material contained 4,738 scats. There were very marked seasonal variations due to changes in the relative availability of the prey. The principal food groups were mammals, mainly rodents, birds, fish, and crayfish. Crayfish occurred most frequently in the summer food, due to its higher activity in the warm months which increased its vulnerability. Fish was consumed preferentially in winter and spring. The great availability in these seasons was a result of increased vulnerability due to low water temperature. Frogs were secondary food and occurred most frequently in the diet at seasons when the mink changed its food habits. Birds occurred most frequently in the diet during migration and breeding seasons. Rodents constituted a very variable source of food due to the great fluctuations of their number. Their availability influenced the food habits in a conspicuous manner, particularly in the northern area investigated. The greatest changes in the food habits occurred in late spring and in the autumn. Differences between habitats with regard to food habits were most marked in summer. At other seasons the food habits were dominated by the great fish consumption. Pe3ioMe