ExploreMammals

American Mink

Name: American Mink video
Description: 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.

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.

Habitat: Wetlands

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.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCarnivoraFamilyMustelidaeGenusMustela

American Mink

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

American Mink can swim and dive expertly using their streamlined body and webbed feet, allowing them to hunt underwater prey.

American Mink has scent glands that release a stinky musk when threatened, helping them deter predators and mark their territory.

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
Top Speed: 24 km/h
Litter Size: 4-6
Gestation: 40-75 days

Watch

YouTube

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

Rana catesbeiana

Frogs are a regular part of a mink's varied diet, especially near water.

eaten by

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

These powerful raptors can sometimes catch minks, especially young ones.

eaten by

Bobcat

Lynx rufus

Bobcats are larger predators that can sometimes hunt minks on land.

Traits

Furry

Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.

Webbed Feet

Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming.

Solitary

Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.

Piscivorous

Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.

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.