The animal most commonly referred to as “mink” is the North American Mink, Neogale vison. This species belongs to the weasel family, Mustelidae, which also includes otters, ferrets, and wolverines. The mink is a sleek, semi-aquatic mammal recognized for its dark, lustrous fur and its elongated body shape, typical of its family. It hunts effectively both on land and in the water.
Defining Physical Characteristics
The North American Mink is a small to medium-sized animal with an elongated, slender body set upon relatively short legs. Total body length, including the tail, ranges from 18 to 28 inches (46 to 71 centimeters). Males are larger than females, weighing between 2 to 5 pounds (0.9 to 2.3 kilograms), while females are 10 to 20% lighter.
The mink has a pointed, somewhat flattened facial profile. Its feet are partially webbed, an adaptation that helps propel the animal through water, making it an agile swimmer. The eyes are small and dark, and the ears are barely visible against the dense fur.
The primary feature of the mink is its dense, soft coat, which is highly valued. The fur is typically a uniform dark brown to near-black color. Underneath the long, oily guard hairs is a thick underfur that provides insulation. The guard hairs are water-resistant, keeping the animal dry in its aquatic environment.
Most individuals possess irregular white patches of fur, despite the overall dark coat. These white markings are most commonly found on the chin and sometimes extend to the chest or throat area.
Habitat and Geographic Range
The North American Mink is native across the North American continent, found throughout most of Canada and the United States, excluding only the most arid regions of the Southwest. Its range extends from Alaska down into the contiguous United States, where it is a common resident in many river systems.
The species has also been introduced to Europe, Asia, and South America, primarily due to escapes from fur farms. Established populations exist in the British Isles and other parts of Europe, sometimes causing negative effects on native wildlife.
The mink thrives in wetland habitats and is rarely found far from a permanent water source. Optimal territory includes brushy or rocky cover near the water. It utilizes a variety of environments, including:
- Banks of streams and rivers
- Lakes
- Freshwater and saltwater marshes
- Coastlines
It utilizes dens situated close to the water’s edge for shelter and resting. It may dig its own burrows or take advantage of natural cavities. Common den locations include hollow logs, rock piles, or abandoned burrows of other mammals.
Notable Behavior and Diet
Mink are largely solitary animals, preferring to live alone outside of the breeding season. They are primarily nocturnal, though they can occasionally be observed hunting during the day. They are territorial and mark their home range boundaries using musky secretions from enlarged anal glands.
As a predator, the mink is agile and athletic, capable of climbing trees and moving quickly on land. Its specialized feet and waterproof coat allow it to be an exceptional swimmer and diver while pursuing prey.
The mink is a carnivore with a generalist diet that shifts based on the season and local availability. In the summer, its diet includes aquatic life such as fish, crayfish, frogs, waterfowl, and eggs. During winter, when aquatic sources are less accessible, the diet often shifts to primarily small mammals.
Specific prey items include mice, voles, shrews, and larger prey like muskrats, which they kill with a targeted bite to the back of the head or neck. They are known to carry excess food back to their dens, sometimes caching it for later consumption.