Arctic Mink

The Rascals of Rothnia

Those blasted rascals have been rummaging through our camp again! Not a scrap of food is safe without supervision. Bastards are better at hunting for our food than we are at hunting them.

— Égil Åkeson, Rothnian hunter

The arctic mink is a species of mustelid native to the frigid and desolate land of Æþíne. In current times it is unclear if any of them still dwell so far north as the cooling climate had forced the arctic mink to migrate further south, reaching the northern frontier of Rothnia. Their presence is strongest in the South Æþínish Heights and on the territories of the Valníki Realm where they are considered both a nuisance and a symbol of resilience.

Habitat

Snowy and Rocky River by Midjourney

Resilient and resourceful in frozen conditions, the arctic mink have made their home in a land where they have all the advantages they need for survival. The snow and the rocky landscape provide them with places to hide from larger predators and viable spots for ambushing their prey. The further south they wander, the more dangerous life gets for them as the white fur around an arctic mink’s face fares ill in lands where summers are green and rocky hiding spots aren’t as readily available.

Besides wolves, foxes and mighty hawks, one of the greatest threats to the arctic mink is none other than their brown-faced cousins, the western mink. Larger in size and more accustomed to life in the woods, western minks ruthlessly hunt down their smaller northern counterparts, forcing them to remain up north where the cold climate keeps them safe.

Food

Arctic mink are fond of fish and therefore their habitats often lie close to rivers or streams where such food is in abundance. In addition to that, these mink also hunt for insects, birds, eggs, small rodents, and at times they’ve even been known to hunt down creatures larger them themselves such as hares. The most well-known favourite meal of the arctic mink is a human’s unattended provisions. Left without supervision, mink are more than capable of making quick work of whatever food people have left behind.
It’s speculated that the arctic mink go as far as to stalking groups of humans in order to wait for a ripe opportunity to go after their next meal. Because of this behaviour, arctic mink are considered quite the nuisance by many, but there are also those in Valníki who see themselves in the resilient creature. The locals of that realm were also pushed from the north by the cold and frozen winds only to find themselves unable to move further south and because of this connection there are many who feel an affinity toward the small mischievous creatures.

Arctic Minks by Midjourney

Lifespan

8 - 10 years

Conservation Status

Critically Endangered

Average Weight

550 – 800 g

Average Length

352 - 440 mm

Geographic Distribution

• Æþíne
• Rothnia

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