The content of the article
Ligation is a predator that is small in size and looks very much like a ferret. Unlike its closest relatives, the ferret and weasel, the ligation is quite a rare animal.
Appearance
The size of the dressing is not impressive. The animal reaches 35-38 centimeters in length, and weighs only 500-700 grams. Male and female do not have obvious differences in appearance.
A special feature that distinguishes these animals is their non-standard color. The basis of the color is dark chestnut wool, but white, black and yellow blotches that form interesting patterns are randomly located throughout the body. The same patterns go into the tail, which ends with a small brush. The dressing fur is quite short and hard, which is the reason for the constant disheveledness in the animal.
The muzzle is small and short. The dressing ears are very large, covered with white fur. Due to the excessively short legs for the body so long, it seems that the animal is constantly pressed to the ground, and as if sneaking.
Habitat
The main distribution of dressings are in Eastern Europe and Asia. Starting from the Balkan Peninsula, through the south of the Russian Federation right up to Mongolia and the northwestern regions of China. Animals prefer to settle in areas with as few trees as possible. For example, steppes or deserts. Quite rarely, but still found in the mountains. They can also sometimes settle in parks and gardens.
Lifestyle and character of dressings
Dressing males prefer a solitary lifestyle. They come into contact with females exclusively during the mating season. In relation to other males are often very hostile. Dressings try to prevent extraneous dressings on their territory.
When the animal is in serious danger, the dressing seeks shelter on a tree or in a mink. But this is not always possible, and if the escape routes are cut off, the animal takes a threatening pose, showing that it is ready for battle. This pose is as follows: the animal throws its tail onto its back, rises to its paws and emits the most loud roar. If this had no effect on the opponent, the dressing is forced to attack by spraying a foul-smelling liquid from the anal gland, and, if necessary, using claws.
Hunting dressings
Small paws and an elongated body allow the dressings to hunt rodents in their burrows. However, the hunting skills of animals are not limited to this. The structure of their body allows them to do this on trees just as effectively. The dressings have a rather poorly developed vision, so in the hunt they rely more on their hunting sense of smell.
Sometimes the ligation is able to cooperate with a fox to hunt gerbil colonies. While the fox watches the gerbils at the entrance to their hole, the ligation meanwhile fights with them underground. This is a very remarkable fact, given the solitary lifestyle of these animals.
Dressings move in zigzags, leaving an uneven mark with their short paws.He sniffs the territory, and sometimes raising his head to inspect the area. If necessary, the animal stands on its hind legs, like meerkats, gaining a wider view.
Dressings lead a sedentary lifestyle. And if everything is in order with safety and food, then they are able to live on a piece of their land all their lives. But if necessary, they can migrate.
Power Features
Dressings belong to omnivorous animals, however, they give the most preference to meat. The victims of their hunt are basically gerbils, field voles, ground squirrels and hamsters, which they exterminate in their burrows and often remain there to live. In case of great need, the dressing is able to cope with a bird or a snake, but this does not happen often.
Less preferred, but still possible food for dressing is eggs, berries or fruits of trees, such as apples or pears. Dressings living in vegetable gardens do not disdain the pulp of melon or watermelon. But still, the meat in the diet of this predator is a priority.
Reproduction and Life Span
Dressings have a fairly long period of life. In the wild, for example, they live up to 7 years, which is a lot for such a small predator.
The mating season takes place at the end of summer, approximately starting from June and ending with August. It was at this time that the loving male began to invite the females to mate. The ligation calls the females, issuing an iridescent rumbling-cooing, to which the nearest female who heard him reacts. The mating process is fast enough, after which the female leaves again, leaving the ligation of the male alone.
It is still not known by what criteria males select a female for mating. Most likely only the location has an effect. The closer the female’s habitat is to the male, the more likely they are to mate during the mating season.
Feeding of young animals lasts approximately 40 days, after two weeks later the dressings are sent to independent life. Males usually take part in the rearing of young animals.
Bandaging and man
At the beginning of the 20th century, the dressing population was at risk. Due to the development of the agricultural industry, plowing of fields and the destruction of rodents, the dressings were on the verge of extinction. It’s very difficult to live without a good food base. The animal is listed in the Red Book and is now very rare.
Video: dressing (Vormela peregusna)
Submit