# American Mink (*Neogale vison*) The American Mink is a small, furry animal that loves to swim and hunt in water. They have sleek bodies and are often found near rivers and lakes, where they catch fish and small animals. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 20 - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Mink ![American Mink](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424590/objects/1721.jpg) ## Appearance The American Mink has a sleek, slender body covered in rich, dark brown fur, often appearing almost black. It possesses small ears, a long bushy tail, and a distinctive white patch on its chin, differentiating it from similar weasels. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Mustelidae - **Genus:** Mustela ## Interesting facts - Mink babies, called kits, are born blind and tiny, needing their mom's full care! - Their dense fur creates air pockets, keeping their skin dry even underwater! - They cache extra food, hiding it like a treasure chest for later snacks! - They can twist their flexible bodies into super tight spaces when hunting! ## Special abilities - **Water Warrior:** American Mink can swim and dive expertly using their streamlined body and webbed feet, allowing them to hunt underwater prey. - **Scent Blaster:** American Mink has scent glands that release a stinky musk when threatened, helping them deter predators and mark their territory. - **Stealthy Hunter:** American Mink can move silently and quickly on land and in water, which helps them sneak up on unsuspecting prey. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 45-70 cm - **Weight:** 0.7-1.6 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-6 years - **Speed:** 24 km/h - **Litter Size:** 4-6 - **Gestation:** 40-75 days ## Diet & Feeding Minks are skilled hunters who love to eat many different small animals found near water. - **Primary Foods:** Fish, Rodents, Frogs, Crayfish, Waterfowl, Insects - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Meadow Vole (*Microtus pennsylvanicus*) — Mink often prey on these common rodents found near watery habitats. - **Hunts:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Rana catesbeiana*) — Frogs are a regular part of a mink's varied diet, especially near water. - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — These powerful raptors can sometimes catch minks, especially young ones. - **Eaten by:** [Bobcat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bobcat) (*Lynx rufus*) — Bobcats are larger predators that can sometimes hunt minks on land. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Keep a safe distance and watch quietly if you see a mink in the wild. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify American Mink? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is American Mink? 45-70 cm ### How much does American Mink weigh? 0.7-1.6 kg ### How long does American Mink live? 3-6 years ### How fast can American Mink move? 24 km/h ### What does American Mink eat? Minks are skilled hunters who love to eat many different small animals found near water. ### Where is American Mink usually found? Wetlands ### How does American Mink hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Brooks River Archeological District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brooks-river-archeological-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Center Square/Hudson–Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/center-square-hudson-park-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Chicken Ridge Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chicken-ridge-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [Dayville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dayville-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Isaac Franklin Plantation](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/isaac-franklin-plantation) — Tennessee, US · Historic Site - [Murie Ranch Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/murie-ranch-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District [View all places to see American Mink](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/american-mink) ## Watch - [Play video: American Mink](https://www.snappit.app/videos/american-mink) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=KnGa1e_Y-_0) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [American Mink: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-mink)