Kolinsky belongs to the Weasel family, as it has a number of similarities with its closest relatives. The miniature animals are prized for their fluffy fur, which is used to make tassels, fashion clothes and other goods. The Siberian column has a second name – itatsi. The main distinguishing features of animals are the complex nature and unique features of the species. Most often, mammals can be found in Asia, in the Far East and on the territory of the Cis-Urals.
Description and features
The adult column grows up to 50 cm in length, of which 1/3 is the tail. The body weight of an animal rarely exceeds 800 g. The miniature animal has short legs, a pointed muzzle, large and expressive eyes, and rounded ears. The column has an elongated, flexible and movable body. The special pride of the animal is its beautiful fur, which changes its color depending on the season. So, in winter, the hair of a mammal is buffy with a pronounced red tint. There are white spots on the face and a unique black mask around the eyes.
Itatsi’s coat also changes with the season. In winter, the fur is lush and thick, in summer it is shorter and thinner.
The columnar loves the habitable areas. The animal is especially attracted by the presence of rats, poultry and mice. In the wild, the mammal prefers to live near coniferous or deciduous forests, where many rodents can be found. Open spaces are not attractive to itatsi, they like the dense taiga located along the river or on the side of a mountain.
Animal behavior
Columns are nocturnal animals. They go hunting at dusk and are not limited to certain territories. Mammals can walk more than 10 km at a time. At night, the animal’s eyes glow slightly with a reddish color. The speakers are excellent hunters and successfully overtake their prey even in the winter season. They are able to wade through snow up to 50 cm deep.
Columns do not build their own burrows. They occupy abandoned areas, or are located in heaps of dead wood, under tree branches. Animals have several shelters in which they rest, depending on their desire and location. The speakers do not hibernate, therefore they endure severe cold in warm shelters, from which they may not get out for several days. To get to the right place, the animal makes rapid jumps.
When animals are irritated, they emit hiss, accompanied by a hiss. The “voice” of the animal is similar to chirping or chirping.
Mammal nutrition
Itatsi’s diet is dominated by river dwellers, for example, fish, rats, muskrats. The speakers catch the victim with their tenacious claws. Wood grouses, hazel grouses and other birds are also considered treats for animals. Mammals of this species are very brave and dexterous, therefore they easily climb stony and overgrown areas, tops of trees and rocks, into hollows and crevices.
The speakers also feed on mice, jerboas, chipmunks, squirrels, and hares. They do not disdain frogs, larvae and insects. In a particularly hungry time, animals can approach a person and ravage yards with poultry.
Reproduction
Lonely columns begin to converge only in the spring – during the mating season. Males fight violently to win over the female. After fertilization, the female carries cubs from 30 to 40 days, during pregnancy she equips her nest.
4-10 babies are born who need not only breast milk, but also warmth, as they can die from the cold. A caring mother practically does not leave the nest. During the first month, the cubs open their eyes, wool appears on their body, and a kind of mask on their muzzle.
