Mustela vison
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: Animalia |
| Phylum: Chordata |
| Class: Mammalia |
| Order: Carnivora |
| Family: Mustelidae |
| Genus: Mustela |
| Species: Mustela vison |
Conservation Status
Identifying Features
Mink are 12-17" long. Their coat is brown throughout with the exception of a white chin.
Their tracks are rounded and 1 1/2" in length.
Habitat & Range
They live near streams and lakes across Canada and the United States except for the Southwest US.
Behavior
Mink are nocturnal and hunt for small mammals, frogs, fish, eggs, and many other animals that live near water.
Mink use several vocalizations and scent to communicate with other mink.
Life Cycle
Most of the year mink are solitary. Only during breeding season in late winter and ealy spring do adult pairs share a den. Male mink usually do not help raise the young, and females will care for the litter from birth in spring until the young leave the mother in the fall. In the wild mink typically live for 3 - 6 years.
Featured image by Brandon Lally.