Neovison vison (formerly Mustela vison)
Trail camera photo of a mink grabbing fish out of a thawing pond in early spring. Mink do not have white fur in the winter, but the flash of the trail camera makes this mink appear white.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
The American Mink is a member of the family Mustelidae, which includes weasels, badgers, otters, and other related species. Adult mink are about 2 feet long including the tail (0.6-0.9 m), and weigh 2-4 pounds (0.9-1.8 kg). Mink can be distinguished from other Minnesota weasels by their larger size, small round ears, and the presence of a white or yellow ‘bib’ marking on the chest, along with a white belly. Mink have chocolaty brown fur that doesn’t change during the winter, like some other members of the weasel family.
What they eat
Mink hunt small animals in or near the water, including muskrats, earthworms, grubs, fish, frogs, ducks, crayfish and eggs. During the winter, they hunt small mammals such as mice. The river otter is one of its few natural predators. Occasionally, coyotes, bobcats, and birds of prey will also prey on this species.
Where they live
The mink is a very common predator in Minnesota, and can be seen throughout the state. It can be found in lakes, creeks or other wetlands, even those in urban areas. They also prefer to be near bushy or rocky ground for cover. Mink will use abandoned muskrat holes, or dig a burrow system themselves. Their dens are lined with dried leaves, grass, and fur from the animals they hunt.
What they do
The American mink can hunt prey on water or land. They can remain under water for several minutes, dive to depths of 16 feet (5 m), and swim under water as far as 98 feet (30 m). They are generally nocturnal and solitary, and therefore are rarely seen. However, their droppings can often be found on fishing docks; in winter, you might also find mink tracks near marshes where muskrat lodges are found. Males are intolerant of each other and scent-mark their territories with musk.
How are they’re doing
Habitat loss and water pollution are the main factors that negatively affect this species. However, American mink populations in Minnesota are fairly healthy, and thousands are caught by licensed trappers each fall.
Mink furs are in high demand, and this has strained wild populations in the past. Mink farms sprang up in the United States in early 1900s, with as many as 7,200 farms active by the 1960s. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 268 farms remained in 2011; these farms produce about 3 million pelts each year.
Are there other species like this on Zoo site?
The American mink has some relatives that could live on Zoo site! These include the short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea) and the long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata). Although these two species have not yet been seen on Zoo site, they both are found throughout Minnesota.