The Michigan Mink Mystery: How Did an Interspecies Outbreak Unfold?
The Michigan Mink Mystery: How Did an Interspecies Outbreak Unfold?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of the Michigan Mink Mystery Courtesy of the Michigan Mink Mystery
Although researchers are still trying to figure out the origins of the mystery, their discovery raises questions about the biology of this species.
When a pest invaded Michigan in the late 1990s, a major plague blew across the state. Fortunately, there were no natural predators or predators replaced; the plague, in combination with viruses from the bacterium Campylobacter, spread and killed hundreds of rodents, and eventually swept through the state.
By the early 2000s, the Mink were using pesticides to combat the Italian pest that spreads this time of year. Now, researchers believe they are just beginning to understand the process, and it could mean animal-to-animal contact.
In some ways, Detroit’s Mink are an American spider. J.P. Penny from the Mink Museum of Natural History in New York City told NPR a little about it when NPR contacted him about the Mink.
“A lot of the stuff they do is a little bit experimental, but I’ve never seen something that I’ve never seen before. I’ve never seen rats and mice,” he said.
My homage to the Mink logo:
There are four Mink, all of which come with blue eyes. As a note, this one’s called “Blue Mink” because it’s been in the museum for more than two decades. The Mink are a type of spider. They come in a variety of colors, and on their legs are many large, each with their own distinctive patterns, and they usually pair well with different types of home décor. Many of them have a hand-shaped pattern at the base, and they move very quickly through the room. They are more of a nuisance than a threat. They’re usually best seen with vinegar, but other things like tobacco can also be harmful to them.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of the Michigan Mink Mystery Courtesy of the Michigan Mink Mystery
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of the Michigan Mink Mystery Courtesy of the Michigan Mink Mystery
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of the Michigan Mink Mystery Courtesy of the Michigan Mink Mystery
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of the Michigan Mink Mystery Courtesy of the Michigan Mink Mystery
The Mink may also be a guardian for a variety of plants and animals.
“It’s a very good insect to have around,” Penny said.
Researchers are still trying to figure out how this slightly yellow moth lived in the wild and how this ran loose from the city.
“It’s all hard to say,” Penny said, “because as an American you’ve never seen this carapace going around the city.”
🔔ALL TEXT IN THIS POST IS COMPLETELY FAKE AND AI GENERATED🔔
Read more about how it’s done here.
