Hobbies And Interests
Temperate Grasslands/Steppes
European minks live in grassland areas with a temperate climate. The name for grassland in Europe is steppe. Characteristics of the steppes include warmer summers with average rainfall and cold winters with a lot of snow. Grasses found on steppes are often bunch grasses, which grow in clumps. These grasses include Festuca, Stipa and Agropyron.
Water Sources
European mink never live far away from fresh water in streams, rivers, lakes or ponds. According to the Zoological Society of London, the dens of European minks are always within 25m of a stream. European minks' close proximity to the water gives them access to a diet of rodents, frogs and mollusks, among other prey.
Thick Cover
Thick grass on the edge of the European minks' selected water source is a common habitat feature. The roots of the vegetation, often the grasses of the steppe, provide twisting thick holes that the European mink uses as burrows. Their thick grass habitat protects the European mink from both natural and human predators.
Human Aspect
Humans play a large role in the habitat of the European mink. For example, farming affects the population of European minks. Grassland is ideal for farming, due to its lack of trees to remove and rich soil. However, agricultural ventures also decrease the area available for European minks to live in. Another problem with agriculture is runoff of chemicals, such as fertilizer, that pollute the European minks' water sources and render their water and food toxic.