Weasels and minks belong in the same family and bear a strong resemblance to each other. In fact, homeowners who spot a predator around their chicken coop or notice small, bounding tracks in the yard may have trouble figuring out which pest is responsible. To distinguish between the two animals, it helps to know more about their defining traits. Weasels are the smaller of the two animals, averaging only 14 to 16 inches long. They can be brown, yellow, or tan with pale fur on their necks and bellies. Some species’ coats change to pure white in winter. Weasels live in forests or fields and do not swim or hunt in water. On the other hand, minks are excellent swimmers and prefer to live around water with woodlands nearby. The pests are also heavier and larger than most weasels. A mink’s thick, waterproof fur is usually dark brown to black with white markings on the throat and chin.