American polecat 5 letters crossword. American ferret, description, habitat and lifestyle, what it eats, photo, video

Kira Stoletova

The Red Book is full of various species of animals that are on the verge of extinction or have disappeared altogether. Among them is the American Black-footed Ferret. This animal belongs to the mustelid family and, through the fault of poachers, has practically disappeared from the mainland. Thanks to the efforts of livestock breeders and local historians, Black-footed ferrets are already gradually restoring their population.

This is a very unusual animal both in color and in habits. The territory of its habitat and historical homeland is North America, where they are now actively grown. After being listed in the Red Book, the trochee began to be actively protected, and now any hunting for these animals is strictly punishable by law.

Description of American Blackfoot ferrets

The description of this type of ferret is worth special attention, because this breed has remarkable appearance features.

Distinctive features of Black-footed ferrets:

• The ferret has a long elongated body and neck, short and thick legs.
• The fur color of such animals is yellow-brown, darker on the back, and generally turns black towards the tail and paws (hence the name Black-footed American Ferret).
• A distinctive feature of the trochee of just such a breed is the so-called mask around the eyes (the color of the coat around the eyes of such animals is black).
• This type of ferret has large, rounded eyes that stand out against a white muzzle, where a black nose is also visible.
• The shape of the claws is pointed and slightly curved.
• The average weight of the female is in the range from 650 to 850 g, and the male can reach a mass of 1200 g.
• According to average indicators, the length of the calf in the described trochees is 350-600 cm, and according to the statistics of the female, it is always 10% less than the male representatives of this breed.

Such an expressive appearance does not leave anyone indifferent, which is why the skins of such animals are very much appreciated by hunters, although it is important to remember that now the Red Book contains the name American Black-footed Ferret, which automatically prohibits any activity aimed at depopulating the species.

American Black-footed polecats can be seen in wildlife reserves in North America. Or, if there is no opportunity to visit another continent, anyone can easily admire the photo of the Black-footed Ferret on the Internet.

Habitat

The black-footed ferret is an animal that was quite common until the beginning of the last century. The historical range of animals is the territory stretching from the south of Canada to the north of Mexico. For North America, this species is the only indigenous representative. Today, a tourist can observe the described polecats only in 3 territorial limits in the northeast of Montana, in the western part of South Dakota and in the southeast of the state. Wyoming. In addition to natural habitats, people can also see how the American ferret behaves in a zoo or nature reserve. In places of natural settlement, the population was restored. Recovery continues to this day.

Knowing the range of these animals, it is quite simple to guess about their living conditions:

• Steppe and hilly terrain in the expanses of North America.
• An abandoned burrow left by a prairie dog often becomes a haven for American polecats (in such burrows it is easier for animals to make tunnels and hide from hunting).
• For obtaining food, one representative of this breed, according to average indications, needs a lot of space: within 40-45 hectares.
• Females with offspring require even more space to survive: up to 55 hectares.
• One male can introduce several females into the habitat at once.

The black-footed ferret is a freedom-loving creature that needs a large amount of free space for a normal existence. Such animals do not tolerate restrictions, and even in zoos they always get a large territory.

No less interesting is the life of such animals: the lifestyle they lead should be given special attention. The attitude towards the marten family has left its mark on the habits and habits of the trochee.

Lifestyle and nutrition

The American ferret is predominantly nocturnal. This is a predatory animal, the activity of which occurs at night. With a good sense of smell and even sharper hearing, representatives of this breed can easily navigate without sunlight. The black coat allows them to remain less visible.

During the hunt, representatives of this species climb into the burrows of their victims (small rodents), where they deal with their prey, and then they also settle for a while. They are fast and agile, thanks to the structure of their body.

The black-footed ferret is a solitary animal. He does not try to get into the flock and only during the breeding season creates a pair.

With all these qualities, the American ferret is a friendly and non-aggressive animal towards representatives of its own species.

The diet for such animals consists of a large number of options:

• small rodents hiding in burrows;
• large insects;
• small birds, etc.

These cute at first glance animals are still predators. According to the statistics of livestock breeders, one black-footed ferret consumes about 100 prairie dogs during the year. In the reserves they are specially fed, and the cubs are fed with milk. In the 80s of the last century, all animals kept in captivity were released into a free habitat in order to renew the population and save the species from extinction.

Conclusion

The American ferret is a rare, but beautiful and unusual animal. The fact of entering into the Red Book only gives this breed an aura of mystery and makes it even more interesting for others and tourists.

black-footed ferret

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If there is an opportunity, then it is definitely worth watching such ferrets, because, in addition to all external indicators, they are unusually cute, and black hair will forever remain in the memory of observers.

The black-footed ferret is a small North American predator of the weasel family. American black-footed ferrets are also called black-footed ferrets. The name comes from the English "blackfooted ferret". It must be said that this animal is one of the rarest mammals in North America. In modern times, American black-footed ferrets, unfortunately, are under the threat of complete extinction. The number of American ferrets is extremely small. This is due to the human development of those places where the ferrets lived, as well as the fight against prairie dogs, which are the basis of the nutrition of polecats.

The features of the black-footed ferret include a long neck, a very squat, elongated body with very short legs. Its weight is over 1 kg. The black-footed ferret is so similar to the steppe ferret that it is possibly only a subspecies of it.

American black-footed ferrets are nocturnal. These animals have excellent sense of smell, hearing and vision. As already mentioned, American ferrets are extremely dependent on prairie dogs. Ferrets occupy their homes and also feed on these animals. The hole of a prairie dog, which is then occupied by a ferret, can reach a length of up to 300 m.

It should be noted that males lead a more active lifestyle than females. However, during cold weather, the activity of ferrets is much reduced, and the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe area they survey is also reduced. On snowy days, the American ferret does not leave its shelter at all and feeds exclusively on its own supplies.

American ferrets move in jumps or a slow gallop. In one night, a ferret can walk or gallop up to 10 km and reach speeds of up to 11 km/h. Males move around the area almost 2 times more than females.

The color of the black-footed ferret

American ferrets have white fur at the base. At the ends of the hairline, their fur is somewhat darker. Thus, the overall color of the ferret gives a yellowish brown color. The legs and tip of the tail are black. The American ferret, like its brethren, has a characteristic "black face" mask. This color scheme helps American ferrets to be invisible and hide from danger.

Distribution area and habitat

Black-footed ferrets live in North America. It is worth recalling that now these hori are an endangered species. They are listed in the International Red Book. Basically, these animals live in the prairies (with low and medium height grass cover). In addition, the ferret can climb high into the mountains, up to 3000 m above sea level.

Hunting and the black-footed ferret

Most ferrets can be found in the habitats of prairie dogs. As mentioned earlier, it is prairie dogs that are the main part of the diet of black-footed ferrets. However, American ferrets also prey on rabbits, ground squirrels and birds.

Enemies of the black-footed ferret

The main reason for the extinction of black-footed ferrets is habitat loss. The processing of fields and meadows, as well as a widespread prairie dog eradication program, have significantly reduced the area where American ferrets live. Remaining habitats are currently associated with prairie dog colonies.

The black-footed ferret eats over 100 prairie dogs in about one year. Based on this data, the scientists found that it takes over 250 prairie dogs to support one family of ferrets for a year.

American ferret or fur of this ferret

First letter "i"

Second letter "l"

Third letter "b"

The last beech is the letter "a"

Answer for the clue "American ferret or this ferret's fur", 5 letters:
ilka

Alternative questions in crossword puzzles for the word ilka

marten sister

Fishing marten, pecan

Predator of the weasel family

American marten

Another name for the fishing marten

Word definitions for ilka in dictionaries

Wikipedia The meaning of the word in the Wikipedia dictionary
Ilka is a station of the East Siberian Railway on the Trans-Siberian Railway. It is located in the village of Ilka, Zaigraevsky district of Buryatia, at the 5722th kilometer of the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Great Soviet Encyclopedia The meaning of the word in the dictionary Great Soviet Encyclopedia
pecan, fishing marten (Martes pennanti), a mammal of the marten family of the predatory order. The largest representative of the marten genus; body length 50≈65 cm, tail ≈ 35≈40 cm. Dark coloration. I. is widespread in North America.

New explanatory and derivational dictionary of the Russian language, T. F. Efremova. The meaning of the word in the dictionary New explanatory and derivational dictionary of the Russian language, T. F. Efremova.
and. Predatory animal of the mustelid family with valuable dark brown fur. Fur, the skin of such an animal. unfold Products from fur, skins of such an animal.

Examples of the use of the word ilka in the literature.

And with the money that the gold-toothed seducer offered, you could buy a lot more, and even a bicycle, so that on vacation on Ilek go swimming.

I remember one of those days we went to the river Ilek, then still full-flowing, not polluted by discharges of factories.

The river of his childhood perished - Ilek, with numerous beautiful beaches, tulip fields disappeared behind its high steeps, dragonflies, butterflies, grasshoppers hatched clean in the meadows, dried up and turned into swamps of a lake with crucians and lilies, with duck hunting in autumn.

The close smell of water hit the half-open window and reminded Ilek-- the river of his childhood.

During my childhood Ilek He was not only a breadwinner and drinker, but also the beauty of the region, dozens of generations grew up on its shores, thousands and thousands dream of him.

Order - Carnivora / Suborder - Dog-like / Family - Mustelids / Subfamily - Mustelids

History of study

The American ferret, or black-footed ferret (lat. Mustela nigripes) is a small North American predator, a close relative of the Russian steppe ferret and other representatives of the weasel family. By 1937, the black-footed ferret was completely exterminated in Canada, and since 1967 it has been included in the Red Book of North America as an endangered species. In the mid-1980s, the last known wild population of ferrets was captured and transported to a research base for artificial breeding. Now the release of black-footed ferrets into their former habitat in the US is being called an "amazing return."

The habitat of the American ferret is the eastern and southern regions of the Rocky Mountains, the territory of the Great Plains from Albert and Saskatchewan, to Texas and Arizona (USA).

The black-footed ferret is approximately 45 cm long, with a bushy 15 cm tail, and weighs over 1 kg. Like most members of this family, Mustela nigripes have a squat, elongated body with very short legs. Their fur, which is white at the base, becomes darker at the ends of the hairline and gives the overall yellowish-brown color to the animal. The legs and end of the tail are black, and the black-footed ferret also has the “black face” mask characteristic of many ferrets. This color scheme helps ferrets to be invisible in their habitat.

The habitat of the American black-footed ferret is prairie (low to medium grass cover). It rises through treeless spaces high into the mountains (up to 3000 m above sea level).

Leads a nocturnal lifestyle. Hearing, sight and smell are well developed. The species is highly dependent on prairie dogs. Almost all the time (up to 99%) he spends in their holes. In the area of ​​these colonies, he rests and sleeps, immediately gets his own food, avoids predators, bad weather and feeds offspring.

Males are more active than females. In winter, the activity of black-footed ferrets decreases, as does the area of ​​the surveyed territory. On cold and snowy days it remains in the hole, feeding on its reserves.
On the ground it moves in jumps or at a slow gallop (up to 8-11 km/h). In one night you can walk up to 10 km. Males cover more distance (almost twice) than females.

In addition to the breeding season, it leads a solitary lifestyle. Uses scent tags to communicate with relatives. He marks the boundaries of his site with a secret from the prianal glands. In favorable years, the population density is one ferret per 50 ha of prairie dog colonies. The territory of adult ferrets is (in diameter) 1-2 km.

The male does not participate in the rearing of offspring. The breeding season is March-April. Puberty occurs in the first year of life. Reproductive age up to 3-4 years. Pregnancy lasts 41-45 days. Young males settle from their native nest for considerable distances (10-15 km), while females remain close to their mother.

The female gives birth to 3-4 puppies (on average). As the cubs grow older, the female leaves them alone during the day in the nest, while she hunts. Young people begin to hunt on their own in September-October.

Black-footed ferrets can be found on prairie dog colonies, which make up the bulk of their diet (up to 90%). If possible, it eats gophers, rabbits of the American rabbit and birds. In a year, one individual eats more than 100 prairie dogs, and more than 250 dogs are needed for one ferret family.

U.S. federal and state agencies are working with private landowners to conserve the black-footed ferret in the wild through the release of captive-bred, zoos, and zoological science centers ferrets into their natural habitat. Places of issue were the States of Montana, South Dakota, Arizona, Utah, Colorado and Chiufua Mexico.

In 1981, a small settlement of 130 animals was discovered near Meeteetse, Wyoming. Immediately after the discovery of this ferret settlement, more than half of the ferrets died due to the disease. It was decided to save the fate of black-footed ferrets to catch 18 individuals of different sexes and place them in the territories of the scientific and zoological center.

According to the status of the black-footed ferret in 2007, its number exceeds 600 units in the United States. Although it is still considered endangered according to the old 1996 assessment, since at that time ferrets lived only in captivity with a group of specialists.

The plan to repopulate the ferret in its native environment considers the establishment of 10 or more separate, self-sustaining wild populations as its ultimate goal. Biologists hope to have 1,500 black-footed ferrets in the wild by 2010, with at least 30 breeding adults per community.

Other names: American black-footed ferret.

area: the eastern and southern regions of the Rocky Mountains, the territory of the Great Plains from Albert and Saskatchewan, to Texas and Arizona (USA).

Description: The American black-footed ferret has a long neck and a slender, sinewy body with very short legs. The tail is fluffy. Males are larger and heavier than females.

Color: the fur is smooth yellowish, there are black spots on the muzzle, and the tip of the tail and paws are black.

The size: total length 46-60 cm, tail 13-15 cm.

The weight: 0.7-1.1 kg.

Lifespan: in nature 3-4 years, in captivity 8-9 years.

Habitat: prairie (with low and medium grass cover).
It rises through treeless spaces high into the mountains (up to 3000 m above sea level).

Enemies: birds of prey and man. Diseases (such as plague) and poisoning also affect population size.

Food: Black-footed ferrets can be found on prairie dog colonies, which make up the bulk of their diet (up to 90%). When possible, it eats gophers, rabbits of the American rabbit and birds.
In a year, one individual eats more than 100 prairie dogs, and more than 250 dogs are needed for one ferret family.

Behavior: leads a nocturnal lifestyle. Hearing, sight and smell are well developed. The species is highly dependent on prairie dogs. Almost all the time (up to 99%) he spends in their holes. In the area of ​​these colonies, he rests and sleeps, immediately gets his own food, avoids predators, bad weather and feeds offspring.
Males are more active than females. In winter, the activity of black-footed ferrets decreases, as does the area of ​​the surveyed territory. On cold and snowy days it remains in the hole, feeding on its reserves.
On the ground it moves in jumps or at a slow gallop (up to 8-11 km/h). In one night you can walk up to 10 km. Males cover more distance (almost twice) than females.

social structure: except for the breeding season leads a solitary lifestyle.
Uses scent tags to communicate with relatives. He marks the boundaries of his site with a secret from the prianal glands.
In favorable years, the population density is one ferret per 50 ha of prairie dog colonies. The territory of adult ferrets is (in diameter) 1-2 km.

reproduction: the male does not participate in the rearing of offspring.

Season/breeding period: March, April.

Puberty: in the first year of life. Reproductive age up to 3-4 years.

Pregnancy A: lasts 41-45 days. Young males settle from their native nest for considerable distances (10-15 km), while females remain close to their mother.

Offspring: the female gives birth to 3-4 puppies (on average). As the cubs grow older, the female leaves them alone during the day in the nest, while she hunts. Young people begin to hunt on their own in September-October.

Benefit / harm to humans: The black-footed ferret regulates the number of prairie dogs.

Population/conservation status : The species is listed in Appendix II of the CITES Convention.
The main threat to the species is habitat loss (the conversion of fields and meadows to agricultural use and a widespread prairie dog eradication program has reduced the black-footed ferret's habitat to less than 2% of what it used to be). The American black-footed ferret is listed in the International Red Book: in 1960-1994. as endangered, 1996-2004 like disappearing in nature.
The ferret is currently found in Canada and the USA. The population of the species in 2005 consisted of about 500 individuals in nature and about a thousand in captivity.

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