American Mink

## Description

The American mink (Neogale vison ) is a semiaquatic species of mustelid native to North America, though human intervention has expanded its range to many parts of Europe, Asia and South America. Because of range expansion, the American mink is classed as a least-concern species by the IUCN. The American mink was formerly thought to be the only extant member of the genus Neovison following the extinction of the sea mink (N. macrodon ), but recent studies, followed by taxonomic authorities, have reclassified it and the sea mink within the genus Neogale, which also contains a few New World weasel species. The American mink is a carnivore that feeds on rodents, fish, crustaceans, frogs, and birds. In its introduced range in Europe it has been classified as an invasive species linked to declines in European mink, Pyrenean desman, and water vole populations. It is the animal most frequently farmed for its fur, exceeding the silver fox, sable, marten, and skunk in economic importance.

## Appearance

The American mink is considered by some as the cutest member in the weasel family. Its name is derived from the Swedish word ‘meank’. These animals are native to North America. Being part of the weasel family, they are similar to many weasels in physique. They are typically harvested for their fur, which is of excellent color and quality. Their thick glossy coat is usually brown to black all over its body, and the hairs are waterproof and oily, and there is a white patch under its chin and throat.

## Distribution

As the common name suggests, this species is native to North America, and it is found from Alaska and Canada southwards through most parts of the United States, aside from dry parts in the southwest. It was also introduced to many areas in Europe and South America. This species is typically associated with water, and is found near streams, rivers, lakes, swamps and marshes, and also along coastlines. However, they also inhabit drier areas that are not close to water and sometimes even urban areas, depending on the abundance of food. American minks prefer habitats where there is dense vegetation, as this provides plenty of cover.

## Behavior

American minks are mostly solitary animals, males being especially intolerant of each other. They mark their home range boundaries using musky secretions from their enlarged anal glands. These animals are nocturnal, they are mostly active during the night, especially close to both dawn and dusk. They are also skilled climbers and swimmers. When searching for food, they are able to swim to depths of 30 meters (100 feet) and dive as far as 5 meters. They dig burrows in riverbanks, lakes and streams, or use old dens where other mammals have lived, such as muskrats. Sometimes they line their den with dried leaves and grass, and fur from prey. American minks will communicate with a range of cues, including visual, chemical and auditory signals. These animals are fairly quiet, but they rely heavily on chemical signals for communicating territorial boundaries, as well as reproductive status.

## Diet

American minks are carnivores. The diet of these animals changes with the season. During summer they eat small frogs and crayfish, as well as small mammals like shrews, rabbits, muskrats and mice. They sometimes eat ducks and other water birds, as well as fish. In winter, they mostly eat mammals.

## Reproduction

American minks are polygynandrous (promiscuous), with both males and females mating with multiple partners. The mating season runs from February in the south to April in the northern part of the range. Gestation is for 40 to 75 days. Young are born in April or May (late spring), and litter sizes usually range from 1 to 8 kits. Their eyes open when they are three and a half weeks old and weaning takes place when they are a month and a half old. They remain with their mother until fall, when they go off to establish a territory of their own. They begin mating when ten months old.

## Population

### Population threats

The main threat for mink survival is the continuation of the fur market. All Canadian provinces and forty-seven states currently have limited trapping seasons for mink, the length of each season varying according to the area. Another threat is the destruction of the mink’s habitat. Mink heavily depend on aquatic areas, and the creation, enhancement, and maintenance of such habitat allows for the ongoing existence of healthy populations within the species’ range. Environmental contaminants, like mercury and hydrocarbon compounds (such as DDT and PCBs), are another threat, as such chemicals built up in a mink's tissues and are a risk to reproduction and the life of an individual.

### Population number

This species relatively common and has a wide distribution across its range but no overall population estimate is available. According to the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust resource, the total population size of the American mink in the UK is 108,750 individuals. This includes 46,750 minks in England, 52,250 minks in Scotland and 9,750 minks in Wales. Overall, currently American minks are classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and their numbers today remain stable.

### Ecological niche

American minks are important predators of small mammals throughout their range. They may also affect predator populations (coyotes, snakes, birds of prey), as items of prey.

## Domestication

Wild minks can be tamed if caught young, but can be difficult to handle and are usually not handled bare-handed. In the late 19th century, tame American minks were often reared for ratting, much as ferrets were used in Europe. Some modern ratters have revived this practice using farm-raised mink, sometimes alongside ratting dogs. They are sometimes more effective ratters than terriers, as they can enter rat holes and drive rats from their hiding places. Because of their fondness for bathing, captive American minks may enter kettles or other open water-containing vessels. When minks of wild stock are confined with tame ones, the latter invariably dominate the former. They have also been known to dominate cats in confrontations. Although intelligent, minks are not quick to learn tricks taught to them by their owners. Although domestic minks have been bred in captivity for almost a century, they have not been bred to be tame. Domestic minks have been bred for size, fur quality, and color. However, the U.S. Fur Commission claims "mink are truly domesticated animals", based on the number of years they have been kept on fur farms.

## Fun Facts for Kids

American minks have excellent vision, smell, and hearing.

The American mink has a bounding gait. They are able to climb trees and are excellent swimmers, being able to swim for as long as three hours in water which is warm, though not for very long in cold water.

American minks are able to kill snakes but do not eat them.

Fine, triple-refined mink oil of cosmetic grade, which covers the fur of the animal, is prized for its use on people’s faces and bodies. It is known to be the closest oil to the oil from human skin, and contains about 17% palmitoleic acid, which is an essential Omega 7 fatty acid that the human body also produces.

There are just two mink species alive today: the European mink and the American mink, with a third, the Sea mink, dying out in the 1860s.